Harris County has declared racism a public health crisis. A Disproportionate Impact Study by the Commissioners Court's Analyst's Office shows racism harms nearly every part of community health. The county is working to advance racial equity across all policies and programs, and is considering a countywide Racial Equity Impact Assessment to address long-standing disparities in health, wealth, and incarceration.
• Conducted a Disproportionate Impact Study showing how racism harms health in Harris County
• Declared racism a public health crisis, joining more than 20 other cities and counties across the country
• Support creating a countywide Racial Equity Impact Assessment
• Work to make sure every county policy and program advances racial equity
• Focus resources on exposing and ending systemic racism and bias in Harris County
• Study was conducted by the Commissioners Court's Analyst's Office
• Led by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis
• Part of a national movement with more than 20 cities and counties making the same declaration
Racism affects health in big ways. In Harris County, Black Americans and other minorities face higher rates of illness, shorter lives, and less money. A study found racism hurts almost every part of a person's health and life.
