Juneteenth is our nation’s second independence day, commemorating the end of nearly 250 years of chattel slavery in the U.S. As we recognize, celebrate, and reflect on Juneteenth and its legacy, we must also acknowledge that while we have seen progress, we have also lost ground in many places. Racism has and continues to adversely impact the health and prosperity of our entire nation – not just people of color. Racism is a public health crisis, and for the “public” (our communities) to be truly healthy, unjust and avoidable differences in health, life outcomes, and life expectancy cannot exist.
Fortunately, the governmental public health workforce is eager and well-positioned to take on racism and its adverse effects on community health. Using data from the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS), my colleagues (Kay Schaffer, MPH and Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, MA) and I found that over 70% of state and local public health employees believe that addressing racism should be a part of their daily work. Read the full research brief and our recommendations: https://lnkd.in/eZ_RDz_S
There is unquestionably much more work to do, but public health professionals’ willingness to take on the root causes of structural racism and health inequities is admirable and a real opportunity for change. It’s a long-distance race, but if we stay committed, forthright, and collaborative, we can create the systems-level policy solutions necessary for change.
#publichealth #racism #structuralracism #healthequity #equity #communityhealth #Juneteenth
Program Management Leader
3moI discovered some cool facts about my black heritage when I took a DNA test. My black maternal ancestors traveled with the Underground Railroad and delivered babies and provided herbal remedies. They came to the US (from Africa) under the Atlantic Slave trade agreement. My grandma passed down all her herbal remedies and my aunt became a homeopathic doctor and wrote a book about all our maternal home remedies. Of course, we have overcome the lack of medical care, now and everyone has the same medical rights. But back in the day, our black ancestors didn’t have access to medical care so they had to teach each other. My grandma and all her maternal ancestors never had child births in a hospital. They all had births at home, or even worse- on the run. I wish they would have documented more about what that was like. I’m proud of everything they accomplished and that helped mold me into this fierce and courageous woman that I am today 🫂. To me, Juneteenth is a celebration of how far we have come and a reminder to never forget and never stop fighting, for what’s right.