Yesterday, the Metro Nashville Council approved a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis in the city of Nashville and Davidson County. The resolution received unanimous support and was moved for approval without opposition, drawing attention to the stark inequities experienced by communities of color, specifically Black residents, as reported by FOX 17.
Delving into the underbelly of systemic issues, the resolution cites multiple disparities, including higher infant mortality rates among Black babies and the highest incarceration rate for individuals born between 1980 and 1986 in the 37208 zip code, significantly impacting the health outcomes and quality of life for Black residents. "these disparities are rooted in systemic racism, evidenced by historical injustices like the construction of I-40 through North Nashville, which displaced a thriving Black community, the underfunding of Black educational institutions," the resolution stated, according to details from a FOX 17 report.
In light of this needed focus, Kyontzé Toombs, District 2 Councilmember, played a pivotal role in shaping the narrative and leading the charge. She emphasizes the deeply ingrained racial biases and systemic barriers that need to be dismantled for the sake of public health, as WKRN reported, Toombs said, "To effectively address racism as a public health crisis, the Metro Council commits to encouraging the Metro Nashville Health Department to strengthen partnerships, utilize data-driven decision-making, advocate for relevant policies, implement workforce development strategies, engage with the community and collaborate on systemic change."
While the Metro Council's unanimous support sends a strong message, District 2 Council member Kyontzé Toombs underlines the need to translate this declaration into tangible actions and resources. Saying it with conviction, Toombs told WSMV, “Where you don’t have the economic resources, you can’t access adequate healthcare. That leads to poorer outcomes." Highlighting the need for community-wide support to combat this crisis, Tene Franklin, the chair of the Metro Board of Health, described the role of racism in public health work and called for a collective effort to address these urgent issues as per a statement obtained by WSMV.
