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home / 世界杯决赛2022

racism is a public health issue, ottawa board of health declares

"we want the motion not just to say something, but to do something."

by joanne laucius, ottawa citizen
published jun 16, 2020
last updated mar 17, 2021
read time 2 minute read
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read time 2 minute read
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ottawa’s board of health has voted unanimously to recognize racism as a public health issue.racism, discrimination and stigma are associated with poorer physical, mental and emotional health and a greater risk of death — making racism and anti-black racism an important health issue, said the board of health’s chair, coun. keith egli, in introducing the motion.“this is a difficult, emotional and vitally important discussion,” said egli. “we want the motion not just to say something, but to do something.”members of the african, caribbean and black communities experience physical, social, mental and emotional harms due to racism present in health, education, employment, housing, child care, police and law enforcement and the criminal justice system, noted the motion.“what does it take to make a well community? we need to address racism,” said ottawa’s medical officer of health, dr. vera etches, after the meeting.“it’s really about the accountability of board direction — that we’re making progress.”
in endorsing the motion, the board of health and ottawa public health will be setting targets for board members, employees and volunteers to take anti-racism training. that process has already started and has been received well, said etches.the mental health impacts of racial discrimination are to be highlighted in a research study on the mental health of ottawa’s black community. the study will likely be released within the next month.“it will be an opportunity to build on what we started today,” said egli.as part of the initiative, ottawa public health will develop a campaign to increase awareness of the impacts of racism and discrimination related to covid-19 and actions to counter racism in ottawa.ottawa public health will be seeking partnerships to improve african, caribbean and black mental health.ottawa public health’s 2019-2022 strategic plan also includes a commitment to working in partnership with indigenous communities. the board of health is looking to collaborate with indigenous partners to ensure that collecting, analyzing and sharing health data is done in a respectful manner.that includes engaging with community members, and building on qualitative methods, such as collecting stories, said etches.“we need to go beyond counting.”ottawa public health has been collecting covid-related data including race and income, to better understand barriers to healthcare since may 4.elyse banham, a member of the board of health, supported the motion. she believes it is good and timely, but added that it is also important to promote a more diverse public health leadership and staff.“for things to change you need leadership on the inside,” she said.
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etches said diversity in the public health workforce was not deliberately left out of the motion. the human resources department is considering its hiring practices, she said.on june 8, the toronto board of health voted unanimously to declare anti-black racism a public health crisis, calling for a “reprioritizing” of city resources to address anti-black racism during covid-19 recovery planning and in the city’s next annual budget.don’t miss the latest on covid-19, reopening and life. subscribe to healthing’s daily newsletter coming out of covid.
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