Racial disparities in life expectancies and infant mortality can't be explained biologically, Whatcom County Health Department director said. | Flickr
Racial disparities in life expectancies and infant mortality can't be explained biologically, Whatcom County Health Department director said. | Flickr
A public health advisory board in Whatcom County wants racism to be declared a public health crisis.
The advisory panel voted unanimously to ask the Whatcom County Health Board to adopt the the proposed resolution, the Bellingham Herald reported.
The Whatcom County Public Health Advisory Board is comprised of citizens from throughout the county appointed by the county executive.
The resolution now goes to the Whatcom County Council which serves as the health board.
Two other counties in Washington, King and Pierce, have adopted similar resolutions, the Bellingham Herald reported.
Health care disparities in areas such as life expectancy and infant mortality have been historically higher for people of color, Whatcom County Health Department Director Erika Lautenbach told the Bellingham Herald.
No biological reasons would account for those differences she said, pointing out historic discrimination and racism in healthcare, housing and education.
The resolution will be presented to the health board Oct. 6 meeting, Tammy Axlund, an office coordinator with the Whatcom County Health Department, told the Bellingham Herald.
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