DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dr. Colleen Bridger
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Resolution proposed by Councilwoman Jada Andrews-Sullivan declaring racism as a public health crisis.
SUMMARY:
This item will ask the Governance Committee to assign the consideration of a resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis to the Community Health and Equity Committee for further discussion, review, and revision before potential consideration by the entire City Council.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Data demonstrates that racism has an adverse impact on the lives of people of color in the San Antonio community. The United States Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion acknowledges that discrimination negatively impacts health outcomes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that Social Determinants of Health - conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play - affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. The American Public Health Association states that racism is an ongoing public health crisis.
There is a need for various measures to be put in place to address these issues and should actively engage the entire community in the search for solutions to racial inequity that are present in any areas of life in San Antonio. As a community, it is necessary to continue to build alliances with organizations that are working against racism; and continue to promote racially equitable practices in the health, education, employment, and criminal justice of people of color through the establishment of a working group. The fight against racism and its adverse impacts on our community has reached critical mass and it is necessary to declare racism a public health crisis in our city.
ISSUE:
A resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis would ultimately have to considered by the entire City Council.
ALTERNATIVES:
Not Applicable
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact asso...
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