Region: New London set to declare racism a public health crisis

Proposal comes during national movement, but specifically linked to 2019 assessment

New London — The City Council on Monday will take up a resolution to declare racism a public health crisis and join a national movement to recognize that health inequities are rooted in racism.

The resolution cites racism as a cause of segregation and inequities in things like economic stability, housing, education, physical environment, food security, employment, health care and criminal justice and policing.

The proposed resolution contains some of the same language included in resolutions created by Hartfordbased Health Equity Solutions that are being considered by other communities across the state.

The proposal in New London more specifi cally is linked to the 2016 and 2019 Community Health Needs Assessments, created by a collaboration between Yale New Haven Health and the Southeastern Connecticut

Health Improvement Collaborative. The assessments look at the health of the community and some of the disparities that exist based on race and things like social, economic and environmental conditions.

The 2019 assessment addresses racism as a public health issue in the 10- town region that includes New London. A community survey in 2018 revealed that 28% of people of color versus 10% of whites reported being unfairly treated when seeking health care. The same survey showed 18% of people of color versus 9% of whites reported being unfairly stopped, searched, questioned, physically threatened or abused by police.

Jennifer Muggeo, deputy director of Ledge Light Health District and a member of the coordinating team for the Health Improvement Collaborative, said the resolution is a recognition by the city that there are public impacts from racism. An approval by the council would show a commitment to uncover and address those issues.

Muggeo said the disparities uncov