Wed Sep 18 02:08:09 UTC 2024: ## Nashville City Council Aims to Declare Racism a Public Health Crisis

**NASHVILLE, Tenn. -** In a move aimed at tackling health disparities in the city, Nashville’s Metro Council is set to vote on a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. District 2 council member Kyonzte Toombs, who spearheaded the initiative, argues that systemic racism has led to vastly unequal health outcomes for people of color in Nashville.

Toombs points to the historical impact of I-40 construction through North Nashville and underfunding of Black schools as contributing factors to inequities in education and health. These disparities, she says, have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with minority populations experiencing higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and death compared to white residents.

“It took resources out of the area, so that lack of resources basically trickled down through the generations,” Toombs explained. “Where you don’t have the economic resources, you can’t access adequate healthcare, food, or medicine, leading to poorer health outcomes.”

The stark reality of these disparities is evident in statistics. The Tennessee Department of Health reports that infant mortality among Black babies in Davidson County is 15.7 per 100,000 live births, more than double the county’s overall rate of 7.6 deaths per 100,000 live births. The infant mortality rate for Caucasian babies in Davidson County is only 3.4 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Community organizations like the Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, Nashville General Hospital, and Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance have been crucial in fighting for health equity, Toombs said. This issue, however, is one that the Metro Board of Health chair, Tene Franklin, says the Public Health Department has been tackling for years. She expressed excitement about the council’s support and the potential for increased local funding for health programs.

“Race and racism play a role in the work that we do across the department,” Franklin stated. “Whether it’s maternal child health, infant mortality, HIV and STIs, access to breastfeeding and breast cancer, talking about race and racism is essential.”

Franklin emphasizes the need for community-wide support to tackle this complex issue, recognizing that racial bias impacts individuals’ physical and mental health regardless of the setting in which it occurs. The health department’s search for a new director also prioritizes addressing racial disparities in medical care and expanding its mission to combat these issues.

While the resolution itself does not include any immediate funding, Toombs believes that publicly acknowledging racism as a health crisis will create momentum for future changes. The vote on the resolution is scheduled for Tuesday night.

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