CDC Director Declares Racism A “Serious Public Health Threat”

When the Center for Disease Control (CDC) came out with this statement I was not at all surprised about this statement. As an African American woman, I know that racism is a threat to not only the public but to individual’s mental health. In pharmacy school we learn about social determinants of health (SDOH) which are all factors that are interrelated to public health. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the CDC, addressed this statement of “racism is a serious public health threat” with Times News. Dr. Walensky acknowledge the fact that although COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the disparities communities of color face but also states that it is a long problem that was perpetuated by racism.

 When I first read the titles of this article I got a little annoyed because racism has been around for years and I was thinking “why is this just now coming up?” However, I read the article and saw that Dr. Walensky is making an effort to incorporate interventions that are measurable in all of the centers under the CDC. She also stated that this would be the CDC’s top priority. I am a little hesitant because we have seen performative actions before. For example, we have seen the San Francisco 49ers participate in #BlackOutTuesday and they are in fact a part of the problem. In order to make this initiative work is they have to solicit people from these communities to be the leads on this and form partnerships with organizations such as the NAACP and the League of United Latin American Citizens and others alike.

Dr. Walensky also brought the point that racism has a negative impact on mental and physical health. Racism as mentioned before has been a longstanding problem and I do not think anyone knows how to dismantle it. I do appreciate the CDC taking this action because hopefully the statistically difference between the minorities and white counterparts will not be so different and alarming. However, I would really need to see real action behind these words. I want to see a difference. I want the physical and mental health of all people to be equal or equal enough that racism isn’t a factor.

Reference: https://www.npr.org/2021/04/08/985524494/cdc-director-declares-racism-a-serious-public-health-threat

By Kaitlyn Williams

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