SANTA ANA, Calif.—The Orange County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Dec. 6 with a 4–0 vote, declaring racism and inequity a public health crisis. Supervisor Don Wagner was absent.
Chairman of the Board Doug Chaffee, who introduced the item with Supervisor Andrew Do, said during the meeting that racism has been associated with chronic physical and mental health conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, asthma, stroke, and Alzheimer’s.
“These health disparities underscore the urgent need to address systemic racism as a root cause of racial and ethnic health inequities,” he said.
Supervisor Andrew Do said the resolution will promote awareness of racial discrimination and ensure equity and diversity in county policies, practices, and services….