Declaring racism a public health crisis.

Key Points

• This resolution officially declares racism a public health crisis in the United States, arguing it meets the standard criteria: it affects many people, is unfairly distributed, is ongoing, and could be reduced with preventive measures that are not yet in place.
• The resolution highlights dramatic racial health gaps, including that Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native people live 4 to 10 fewer years than White people, and Black and Native infants are up to 3 times more likely to die than White infants.
• It calls on Congress to commit to a nationwide strategy to address health disparities, dismantle systemic racist policies, and promote efforts to address the social determinants of health like housing, employment, education, food access, and transportation.
• The resolution is non-binding, meaning it expresses the position of the House but does not create new programs, direct funding, or change existing law. It currently sits in the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on the Judiciary.
• It underscores that a person's ZIP code can determine up to 60 percent of their health, and that structural factors like fewer pharmacies, toxic waste exposure, and discriminatory housing practices in minority communities drive health inequities.