Racism declared a public health crisis in Ohio’s most populated county

Officials in Ohio have declared racism a public health crisis in the state’s most populated county, reports ABC News.

Racism is a public health crisis in Ohio county

Commissioners in Franklin County passed a resolution Tuesday that makes the declaration, as well as vows to support community efforts on racism and ensure that board commissioners will work under “antiracism principles.”

Resolution

The resolution was in the works well before the novel coronavirus crisis, according to officials.

“Racism has been a pandemic long before the current coronavirus pandemic,” Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce said in a statement.

“Our declaration today is important, but it’s not saying anything that hasn’t been apparent for a long time. COVID-19 has highlighted the health divide between black and white Ohioans, however, and I hope that it can be the catalyst we need to reform the whole health system so that it works for all of us equally.”

The declaration describes race as a “social construct with no biological basis.” It also identifies two types of racism: individualized racism and systemic racism.

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