Virginia Fields, the founder and president of Black Health, today applauded the New York City Board of Health’s declaration that racism is a public health crisis, saying it paves the way for an aggressive attack on chronic diseases as well as the COVID pandemic to ensure vulnerable communities of color

Fields applauded city Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi’s affirmation of the role racism plays in disparate and unequal health profiles as seen in diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity which disproportionately afflict communities of color.

“The answer does not lie in biology,” Dr. Chokshi said. “Structural and environmental factors such as disinvestment, discrimination, and disinformation underlie a greater burden of these diseases in communities of color.”

“We could not agree more and that is why we were pleased to join with the Latino Commission on AIDS, Treatment Action Group, Housing Works and other community advocates in urging the New York City Board of Health to adopt its landmark resolution declaring racism a public health crisis,” said Fields. “The resolution sets out a path for collecting data to demonstrate what we already know, that racism plays a major role in why vulnerable communities of color suffered so disproportionately during the COVID pandemic. Those same communities have similarly suffered from chronic diseases long before the COVID pandemic that are preventable and treatable if the proper investments are made.”

“Now it is incumbent upon the city and other health authorities to lift the barriers to an equitable approach to public health,” Fields said. “We have our sleeves rolled up and are ready to work with them to ensure a fairer and healthier city.”

 Fields noted the importance that the Board of Health resolution placed on disparities across a broad array of civic factors, including in housing, education, transportation and economic opportunities. 

“The racism that underpins the health crisis is closely linked to comparable factors in other social and economic areas,” Fields said. “A coordinated approach to tackling those interlocking crises is long overdue. The Board of Health resolution is a critical step forward.”