SWWA League of United Latin American Citizens Council 47013
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News Release
League of United Latin American Citizens Council 47013 Call for Public Health crisis for Racism - 07/02/20

The Southwest Washington League of United Latin American Citizens Council 47013 request that Clark County, Washington as well as the cities of Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, Battle Ground and Ridgefield formally declare Racism a Public Health Crisis.

Racism is a detriment to public health. On top of that, people of color are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In WA state Hispanics are 44% of confirmed cases while accounting for 13% of the population. Here in Clark County, Hispanics make up over 24% of confirmed cases and 10% of county population – a death rate of 7 times that of the white population, based on reporting by the Clark County Department of Health.

The roots of racism impact the health of people of color in every aspect of their lives, including access to education, housing, and job opportunities. We are
seeing this play out during the COVID-19 pandemic, with communities of color being infected with the virus at disproportionately high rates due to lack of
access to adequate health services, including coronavirus testing and treatment. In addition, thousands of Clark County residents and families were not able to benefit from state or federal level financial assistance.

Experiencing systemic racism throughout a lifetime is a chronic stressor and negatively impacts physical, emotional, and mental health, which ultimately impacts an entire society. Latin@s, Black, Indigenous and People of Color are literally risking their lives simply because of skin tone, cultural history and way of speaking.

Recognizing how racism affects public health is an important first step to dealing with it. In order to begin alleviating healthcare disparities in Clark County, there must be an investment in public health and education that acknowledges, documents, and addresses the adverse health outcomes associated with systemic racial injustice. The authority for local health officers and boards are expanded in 

Washington Law chapter 70.05 RCW and allows for advancing funds and oversight that we need here.
Addressing racism as a public crisis will help every single person in Clark County because it is about fighting oppression and hatred. By declaring racism as a public health crisis, we can begin to eliminate racism, which is at the root of so many horrific policies. Officially recognizing the role that race plays in public health is a crucial first step.

With this as the background we are asking our SWWA counties, cities, towns and villages to start treating systemic racism for what it is, a public
health crisis. I look forward to your reply and the opportunity to dialogue about next steps.

In Solidarity,

Ed Hamilton Rosales

President
SW WA LULAC Council 47013

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