Racism Is a Public Health Crisis
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared that racism is a threat to our public health. Centuries of racism in the U.S. have caused unfair policies in housing, income, healthcare, education, public safety, transportation, and food access that prevent people of color from being healthy – Topeka/Shawnee County included. These centuries-old policies work negatively and together in ways that benefit the physical and mental health of white people over the physical and mental health of people of color.
Shawnee County Health Department Racial Equity Impact Analysis Group
- YWCA Northeast Kansas
- Shawnee County Health Department
- Valeo Behavioral Health
- Kansas Department of Health & Environment
- Kansas Department of Children & Families
- GO Topeka (Chamber of Commerce)
- Topeka Center for Peace & Justice
- Topeka Public Schools USD-501
- Hospitality Incubator Program
What You Can Do
- Co-Sign this declaration in support of addressing racism as a public health crisis.
- Self-Reflect – Read the Full Declaration with the Commitment to Action Steps
- Share this message with your networks, and continue learning about racism as a public health crisis. You can start with this blog.
- Join the YWCA Movement. We’re advocating for institutional and policy changes that close gaps in healthcare, housing, transportation, and other systems affecting overall health and mental health in our communities.
It will take all of us together to eliminate the barriers that have led to poor health outcomes for communities of color.
More Resources
Race Matters Institute, a national nonprofit that works to help groups become more race-informed and equity-focused in their work.
Kansas Health Matters: Shawnee County
YWCA USA Virtual Town Hall: Addressing Racism as Public Health Crisis
YWCA Northeast Kansas Blog: Lessons from COVID-19