“We do know that health inequities at their very core are due to #racism, there’s no doubt about that,” said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. The realization and acceptance of a mistake or problem is the first step in solving it. Several American states, cities, and counties have admitted that racism is a much bigger problem than many people realize. Hillsborough County's determination that we are experiencing a public health crisis is praiseworthy in that regard. Racism, which is deeply embedded in our society, must stop now, no matter what form it adopts. There are numerous effects on the health of people who are the victims of systemic racism throughout their lives.
Racism in Tampa has put black lives in an extremely disadvantageous position. Ranging from health facilities to employment opportunities, there has been grave injustice for the people of color, caused by the ruthless forces of bigotry and racism. According to a 2021 Gallup poll, 84% of black respondents held the view that racism is a huge issue in America that holds back the people of color in this country.
Les Miller, who was a chairman at the time and one of the renowned politicians of Florida said, “I was racially profiled as late as a year and a half ago. I’m a county commissioner, chair of the county commission, on the back of my car there’s a license plate that says retired State Senate and the Hillsborough County Sheriff one night pulled my wife and me over. We were coming from a function.” Miller’s statement is sufficient to show that not even the top contributors to the state and county are safe from the discriminatory behavior instigated by racism. Miller has also described some long-term medical problems he faced due to racism.
“Racism runs through housing, education, jobs, health care, and more. It’s not like an acute traumatic event like a hurricane or an earthquake that we know has a beginning, middle, and end,” said Thomas LaVeist, dean of Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Moreover, multiple public health studies have shown that pervasive racism is the reason behind the poor health of people of color. Data collected shows that racial health disparities not only affect poor African Americans, but go beyond this group. Dr. Benjamin said, “as a black man, my status, my suit and tie don’t protect me.”
The data related to the #health of people of color is dark and gloomy. For black women, they are four times more likely to experience maternal mortality than white women. Similarly, if you are a black man, you are two times more likely to be killed by a white police officer. Moreover, the average life expectancy of black Americans is four years less than the rest of the American population.
According to several public health studies, due to racial discrimination, black Americans experience stress and depression that affect their internal organs and overall physical and mental health. As a result, discriminated people face so many chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a shorter lifespan. Astonishingly, the health equity gap between opulent black American and well-to-do whites is quite wide.
There are a plethora of counties that have already declared racism a health emergency. Hillsborough County has also registered itself in the list of counties having an equitable vision for all its communities. The landmark resolution of Hillsborough County concludes with some great words, “Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners stands with the residents of Hillsborough County with the declaration of racism as a public health crisis and acknowledge that discrimination is a threat to our health that all lives will matter in America only when there is recognition and affirmation that 'Black Lives Matter.’” The time has come for stronger commitments along with practical measures to wipe out every form of racism in our society. Declaring it a public health emergency is just one praiseworthy step in the right direction.
