WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) introduced a House Resolution declaring racism a public health crisis in the United States. This resolution aims to highlight the detrimental effects communities of color face when seeking healthcare treatment. Additionally, this resolution encourages concrete action to address health disparities and inequity across all sectors of society.
As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Hayes has led the introduction of this resolution since 2020. Senators Cory Booker, Alex Padilla, and Mazie Hirono are leading the introduction of the Senate version of the resolution.
"Across our nation, communities of color face deeply rooted and systemic barriers to quality care and health outcomes. This has resulted in lower life expectancies for people of color," said Congresswoman Hayes. "Declaring racism a public health crisis is a step towards delivering a more equitable and healthier future for every American. It is unacceptable for anyone to be denied adequate care or access to medical resources because of race, and Congress must work to address the barriers to quality care faced by communities of color."
“Compared to other developed countries, the United States has among the worst health care outcomes. That is especially true for communities of color, who confront systemic barriers, biases, and neglect when seeking necessary, life-saving medical care. It is time we face the facts. Racism is a public health crisis,” said Congresswoman Ramirez.“ I’m proud to join Congresswoman Hayes, Senator Booker, and Senator Hirono in introducing a resolution that challenges us to confront and combat health care disparities that put communities of color at greater risk.”
“This resolution is an important step toward recognizing that communities of color, particularly Black, Indigenous, and Latino communities, face disproportionate rates of chronic illness, shorter life expectancies, and increased barriers to quality health care,” said Senator Booker. “These disparities are not accidents. They are the direct result of decades of unjust policies and systems that determine whether your air or water is clean, or how close your family is to a toxic waste site. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to dismantle the systemic injustices that continue to impact the health outcomes of communities of color across America.”
The resolution highlights the effects of systemic racism on the health and wellness of communities of color, resulting in shorter life expectancy, worsened health outcomes, and enhanced exposure to harmful or dangerous environments.
Additionally, the resolution asks the United States Congress to commit to:
-
Establishing a nationwide strategy to address health disparities and inequities across all sectors in society.
-
Dismantling systemic practices and policies that perpetuate racism.
-
Advance reforms to address years of neglectful and apathetic policies that have led to poor health outcomes for members of racial and ethnic minority groups.
-
Promote efforts to address the social determinants of health for all racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States to move forward with urgency.
Representatives Andre Carson (IN-07), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Shontel Brown (OH-11), and LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) are original cosponsors of this resolution.
Find the full text of the resolution here.