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YWCA Virtual Hill Briefing on June 16: Why Congress Should Declare Racism a Public Health Crisis
June 16, 2021 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT
This event is hosted by YWCA USA in conjunction with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized, racism is a public health crisis. Centuries of racism in the U.S. have created deep inequities in housing, income, healthcare, education, public safety, transportation, food access, and other social determinants of health, with profound negative impacts on the long-term physical and mental health of millions of people of color. Addressing racism and racial inequities across these myriad systems requires a coordinated public health response that links individuals, communities, and policymakers.
This virtual briefing will highlight legislation currently pending in Congress that would recognize and address racism as a public health threat. Join YWCA USA and our network of more than 200 local associations in 45 states and DC to learn why passing this legislation is an important first step toward greater racial equity and more effective policy. Together, we can deepen our understanding of racism’s impact on public health, and advance policy solutions that enhance coordination across sectors, invest in prevention, and create opportunity for all.