Officials declare racism ‘public health crisis’

Lorain County commissioners approved a resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis.

Lorain County commissioners voted June 17 to declare racism as a public health crisis.

Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution stating their commitment to the belief that everyone should value and embrace diversity to be a better community along with recognizing that all people in Lorain County should be treated with dignity and respect.

According to statistics from the Ohio Department of Health, African Americans make up 13 percent of the state’s population, yet 26 percent of the confirmed novel coronavirus cases are black.

Commissioner Matt Lundy added that 31 percent of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are African American along with 17 percent of fatalities in emphasizing a snapshot of the health disparities that exist in Ohio.

“It’s important for our communities to have these discussions right now,” Lundy said. “They need to be ongoing discussions; they’re difficult discussions and are discussions and make people uncomfortable, but they’re discussions that need to be held.”

Lundy noted that the bottom line is that every human just wants to be loved and treated with respect.

The resolution recognizes the advances locally in treatment, however, it encourages the community to do more in understanding the historical impact of racism on health and to work together and develop partnerships to dismantle systemic racism, he said.

“The coronavirus shows the need to do more to address the disparity in health care when it comes to people of color,” said Commissioner Lori Kokoski. “I hope this resolution brings more awareness to the problem that continues to exist, and I look forward to working with community leaders to address this issue going forward.”

In declaring racism as a public health crisis, Commissioner Sharon Sweda expressed hope that the community will see this moment as a turning point in working to improve conditions for the generations to come.

“I think what happens is the enormity of the disparity starts to become almost a component where we start to relax that,” Sweda said. “... And then all too many times, we numb ourselves or we think that someone else will take care of it.”

By declaring a crisis, the commissioners want to create hope and optimism for the generations who are growing up right now who need education, healthy food and equitable health care.