House declares racism a public health emergency in Vermont
Ajoint resolution declaring racism a public health emergency in Vermont received preliminary approval from the Vermont House on Tuesday.
The two-page document, J.R.H.6, lists a variety of data points on racial disparities in health outcomes for Vermonters who are Black, Indigenous and people of color. It resolves that the Legislature commit to the “sustained and deep work” of eradicating racism and race-based health disparities.
Those data points include:
• Black Vermonters account for 4.8% of total Covid-19 cases (as of Dec. 16, 2020), despite representing just over 1% of the population.
• Vermonters of color are statistically more likely to lack a personal doctor, report poor mental health and worry more about having enough food.
• Poverty rates for Black Vermonters are twice as high as for white Vermonters, and they account for a disproportionate percentage of people without homes. Both factors are associated with poor health outcomes.
Read more: https://vtdigger.org/2021/05/11/house-declares-racism-a-public-health-emergency-in-vermont/