This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has become the foremost health organization to declare racism a “serious public health threat.” The agency has initiated a program called Racism and Health, where it emphasized that racism is a “fundamental” factor contributing to “health inequities, health disparities, and disease,” and noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened these issues. “The pandemic has shed light on longstanding inequities, revealing a well-known yet often ignored epidemic affecting public health: racism. Racism poses a serious threat to the health of millions of Americans and, by extension, to the health of the entire nation,” the statement elaborated. “It goes beyond mere discrimination against specific groups; it encompasses structural barriers that affect racial and ethnic communities in diverse ways, influencing where individuals live, work, and congregate.”
In a conversation with Time magazine, CDC Director Dr. Laura Jennings recognized that while the agency has previously acknowledged the relationship between racism and health inequities, it has not actively pursued solutions until now. “The term racism is deliberately used in this initiative,” Jennings stated. “It relates not only to skin color but also to factors like living conditions, employment opportunities, and community spaces for children—all of which impact health and access to healthcare.”
The CDC has laid out several strategies aimed at combating racism, including increased investments in racial and ethnic minority communities, resources to tackle COVID-19 related disparities, and a new web portal titled “Racism and Health,” designed to serve as a central resource for public and scientific information on this critical topic.
The pandemic has not only highlighted existing disparities but has also sparked global protests against racism, particularly following the tragic death of George Floyd, prompting necessary conversations and actions across workplaces and communities. “Racism aggravates health inequities in historically marginalized populations,” said community leader Tara Monroe in November. “Without systemic changes, these inequities will persist, ultimately harming the health of the nation.”
“It must be integrated into all aspects,” Jennings told Time. “Everyone needs to contribute to this effort.” This is an essential and overdue step towards addressing the pervasive issue of racism in the United States.
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Summary:
The CDC has officially recognized racism as a serious public health threat, launching the Racism and Health initiative to address health disparities exacerbated by systemic racism and the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative aims to promote health equity by focusing on the structural factors affecting marginalized communities.
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