State Legislators, Municipalities Urge Declaration of Racism as Public Health Crisis

Nearly two dozen Connecticut municipalities and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation have declared racism a public health crisis.  Those actions, during the second half of 2020, appear to have set the stage for state action this year.

At the State Capitol, An Act Designating Racism as a Public Health Crisis in the State and Establishing a Commission to Study the Impact of Institutional Racism on Public Health, has been proposed by State Senator Saud Anwar of South Windsor, and co-sponsored by Sen. Derek Slap and Rep. Josh Elliott and Rep. Michael Winkler.  Senate Bill 55 has been referred to the legislature’s Public Health Committee for consideration, and a public hearing could be held as soon as next month.

In addition, a newly released report by a coalition of organizations advocating for women and girls in Connecticut includes a call for “all levels of Government to acknowledge that racism is a public health crisis.” The report, Essential Equity: Women, Covid-19 and Rebuilding CT, documents the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women and girls, and particularly on women and girls of color.

Ahead of state consideration of the proposal, the public conversation is continuing at the municipal level in the coming days.

The City of New Haven will host a public hearing regarding recommendations submitted to the Board of Alders by the Racism as a Public Health Issue Working Group on January 28th at 6 PM. The recommendations cover ten topics: institutional commitment, COVID-19 response, health and healthcare, mental health, economic security, housing, law enforcement, food insecurity, food systems, and transportation.

Health Equity Solutions will be hosting a two-part webinar about these resolutions and related actions. On February 1, from 3:00-4:30, the organization will lead a discussion featuring a representative from the American Public Health Association. The next evening, from 7:00-8:30, a panel of local leaders will discuss steps their towns have taken since declaring racism a public health crisis.

Health Equity Solutions, a Hartford-based nonprofit that promotes policies, programs, and practices that result in equitable health care access, delivery, and outcomes for all people in Connecticut, has been supporting local advocates engaging leaders to introduce similar resolutions in their communities.

In addition to New Haven and West Haven, the most recent community to approve the resolution last month, communities that have declared racism a public health crisis include Bloomfield, Bridgeport, Colchester, Easton, Glastonbury, Hamden, Hartford, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, and New London.  In addition, Old Saybrook, Simsbury, South Windsor, Westport, West Hartford, Windham and Windsor. Additional communities are considering taking action, according to Health Equity Solutions.

Executive Director Tekisha Dwan Everette notes: “Acknowledging a problem is the first step in addressing it. Publicly acknowledging that racism — through structural disadvantages and the “weathering” of daily experiences — is a public health crisis that results in far too much preventable suffering and death, is a starting point for action.”

Last summer, Health Equity Solutions coordinated a petition, send to Gov. Lamont and state legislative leaders, urging “Connecticut’s executive, and legislative branches of government to unite in by declaring racism a public health crisis.”  The petition, a “call to action for intentional racial equity in our laws, policies, and ways of being,” was signed by over 1,000 Connecticut residents from just over 130 towns and cities. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics said last year that “Racism is a social determinant of health that has a profound impact on the health status of children, adolescents, emerging adults, and their families.”  The statement goes on to indicate that “the evidence to support the continued negative impact of racism on health and well-being through implicit and explicit biases, institutional structures, and interpersonal relationships is clear.” 

Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk, told CT by the Numbers last summer that "Systemic racism permeates every facet of our society and for far too long, we have failed to properly address this fact. Declaring racism as a public health emergency would allow us to thoroughly look at how racial bias and discrimination impacts individuals and systems such as housing, criminal justice, education, and healthcare.” He added: “We cannot afford to ignore these realities any longer; racism must be viewed through this comprehensive lens if we are to make any meaningful, genuine progress toward true equality and justice in our society.”

Image key: Stars=municipality approved resolution; Purple=resident signed petition