Virginia General Assebly Declares Racism A Pubic Health Crisis

The Virginia State Senate on a voice vote, approves a measure and the Governor is expected to sign the declaration making the Commonwealth the first state in the South to declare racism as a public health crisis. The resolution previously passed the House of Delegates on an almost straight party vote. The measure addresses five specific issues including, expansion of the VDH’s Office of Health Equity to be the primary watchdog for ensuring policies addressing racism are implemented, make the Commission to Examine Racial Inequity in Virginia law permanent, establishes training for all state elected officials, creation of list of definitions and terms on racism and health equity, and promoting community engagement.