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A resolution declaring racism a public health crisis in Nashville and Davidson County.
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WHEREAS, racism is a systemic issue with profound health consequences for people of color, as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recognizes racism as a significant social determinant of health; and
WHEREAS, Nashville and Davidson County reflect national trends in health disparities, with Black and minority residents facing significantly worse health outcomes than their white counterparts, notably with Black infants being more than twice as likely to die before their first birthday, according to the TN Department of Health’s Office of Family Health and Wellness 2024 report; and
WHEREAS, 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, contributing to ongoing inequities in education and health, and the fact that the 37208 zip code, which encompasses North Nashville, holds the highest incarceration rate in the nation for individuals born between 1980 and 1986; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated these disparities, with Black and minority residents in Nashville experiencing higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and death compared to white residents, highlighting the urgent need for targeted public health interventions; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council previously recognized racism as a public health crisis through Resolution No. RS2020-473 during the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020, committing to working with citizens to enact policies that eradicate systemic racism by investing in predominately Black neighborhoods and other communities of color to create equitable health, educational, and economic opportunities for Black people and other people of color throughout Nashville and Davidson County; and
WHEREAS, institutions such as Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, Nashville General Hospital, and Meharry Medical College play crucial roles in addressing these disparities by providing accessible healthcare and training healthcare professionals committed to serving underserved communities; and
WHEREAS, Nashville is home to a vibrant ecosystem of health equity organizations, including but not limited to the Black Mental Health Village, The Tennessee Justice Center, Nashville CARES, Healthy Tennessee, and the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, which are essential partners in the fight for health equity; and
WHEREAS, Bloomberg Philanthropies has given $175 million to Meharry Medical College to improve health equity, and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services awarded a $1.4 million Healthy Start Initiative Grant to the Metro Nashville Health Department to reduce child and maternal mortality, underscoring the importance of ongoing investment from both private and government entities in addressing racial health disparities; and
WHEREAS, Nashville General Hospital is a trusted resource in the community, provides high quality medical services regardless of an individual’s ability to pay, and provides holistic care, such as creating and operating a “food pharmacy,” so that patients have the proper nutrition to foster wellness; and
WHEREAS, to effectively address racism as a public health crisis, the Metropolitan 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County declares racism a public health crisis and pledges to dismantle systemic racism and address its associated health disparities through the above actions.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.