One of the more notable public health trends since 2020 is the increase in resolutions or statements declaring racism a public health crisis. The Network has published a series of resources examining trends in different parts of the country. Most recently,  we published an issue brief on State and Local Efforts to Declare Racism a Public Health Crisis – A Western Region Update, which summarized 87 resolutions issued by government entities in the western states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington.

However, it’s not just government entities that have a role to play in addressing racism as a public health crisis – it requires collective action from all of us.  This article documents and highlights anti-racism statements or resolutions issued by state public health associations in these western states to help inform and inspire action in other non-government organizations.

Public commitments to address systemic racism made by state public health associations are important. As independent non-profits, state public health associations serve as an organized and active voice for public health in their state. They can partner with state and local governments or other groups on important topics or initiatives; provide testimony focusing on the health impacts of proposed legislation; serve as conveners for community conversations; and provide training and other educational opportunities to support public health workforce development.

Like resolutions passed by state and local governments, anti-racism resolutions or policy statements issued by state public health associations acknowledge structural racism and its impact on health. They can help to mobilize people to act; help to normalize conversations around health equity and its connection to racism; and drive policy, planning and budgeting efforts. They can also serve as accountability checks if policies or outcomes deviate from the commitments made.

As of January 2025, six state public health associations in western states have issued resolutions declaring racism a public health crisis: Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

Alaska

In 2021, the Alaska Public Health Association passed Reconciliation 2021-06 recognizing racism as a public health crisis and urging the State of Alaska to declare the same and “take immediate action to alleviate this crisis, including through resource allocation and policy change led by Alaska Native people and other people of color.” The resolution was drafted in partnership with the Health Committee of the Alaska Black Caucus, the largest and oldest agency championing the constitutional rights of Black people in the state of Alaska.

Arizona

In October 2023, the Arizona Public Health Association (AzPHA) announced its approval of the resolution,  “Structural Racism is a Public Health Crisis: Opportunities for Policy Inventions”, recognizing racism as a public health crisis.  The resolution commits AzPHA to “promoting equity within our education, criminal justice, housing, and health systems.” Specifically, it provides support to evidence-based policies that that promote firearm safety and health equity; promote climate justice; and education about systemic racism, health disparities, their root causes, and potential solutions. This resolution builds on AzPHA’s earlier Board of Directors Statement Against Racism from June 2020.

Colorado

The Colorado Public Health Association (CPHA) has issued at least two public statements addressing racism in public health, including: a  Racism is a Public Health Crisis statement in June 2020 and an Anti-Racist Public Health statement in October 2020. These statements commit CPHA to “building an anti-racist public health movement” and invites its members and the broader public health community to join “advocacy efforts in condemning law enforcement violence, calling for law enforcement reform and accountability, and working to unwind racism in our cultural fabric.” 

Hawaii

The Hawaii Public Health Association (HPHA) issued a Statement on Racial Justice & Health Equity  in June 2020 condemning police violence and recognizing racism as a “driving force for social determinants of health and equity.” Specifically, the statement reaffirms HPHA’s commitment to working towards the elimination of “systems, policies, and practices designed to perpetuate systemic racism and limit opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color” and achieving its “vision of health equity for all.” It concludes by encouraging HPHA members and the larger public health community to join HPHA in advancing health equity and racial justice, offering a list of actions under four categories to begin these efforts.

Oregon

The Oregon Public Health Association (OPHA) issued a statement in June 2020, committing to amplify and support anti-racism work that addresses systemic and interpersonal racism. An OPHA task force also drafted a legislative concept paper, which more than 100 organizations endorsed at the time of the publication’s posting.  The paper declares racism a public health crisis and acknowledges: “Oregon’s racist history and its current day impact on policies and systems that perpetuate institutional racism.” The paper also strives to “articulate investments and strategies needed to address health inequities among Oregonians of Color and Oregon Tribes,” and advocates that legislative staff “conduct racial health equity analysis on all future legislation for health equity considerations.”

Utah

The Utah Public Health Association (UPHA) declared racism a public health crisis in a resolution adopted in March 2021. The resolution committed UPHA to actions such as “Reviewing and revising internal and external policies and practices through a health-equity lens;” “Improving diversity and uplifting diverse voices on the UPHA board and within UPHA leadership;” and “Including anti-racism training in the onboarding process for all board members,” among other assurances. The UPHA pledged to work on and implement these action items by July 2023.

Washington

The Washington State Public Health Association (WSPHA) passed a resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis in 2022, pledging its full attention to strategies and actions under four areas: Advocacy, Education, Allyship, and Accountability. The resolution commits WSPHA to “Map out a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative” that will “Center the question ‘Where is racism manifested?’ in our systems, processes, committees, and convenings;” “Identify and dismantle the systemic barriers created by these systems and work to undo the ways it manifest in our own organization;” “Recruit and sustain a diverse Board of Directors and staff that reflects our communities;” and  “Foster a diverse membership” among other pledged actions.

Moving Forward

The period since 2020 has seen significant strides toward addressing racism as a public health crisis. However, most anti-racism resolutions and statements from state public health associations were issued in 2020 or 2021. It is critical to maintain ongoing commitments and allocate resources to implement actions that address racial health inequities.

In this time of uncertainty and change, the work of addressing racism and other forms of systemic discrimination and its impact on the public’s health must continue. State public health associations and their members can play an important role in continuing to advocate for this work by:

• Leaning into the work that advances health and racial equity and stay encouraged. Broader political climates do not eliminate the work that still needs to be done.
• Recognizing that there is safety in numbers. Collaborate with and for the most impacted communities, and work together to develop solutions and take action to protect the generations to come.
• Convening and supporting spaces where public health communities can engage in and work together.  Continue to offer training on policy development, advocacy, and health and racial equity among other topics.
• Recognizing that public health is intersectional and use this moment to connect with individuals, organizations, and coalitions working on social determinants that are impacted by racism, including transportation, immigration, housing, city planning, technology, and law.
• Using this time to educate yourself and others. Engage with new organizations, communities, and ideas — attend meetings, actively learn and unlearn, show up and listen, and be curious.

Sustainable change against racism requires both action, care, and connection. We are in it for the long haul. Public health associations are valuable partners in this work. Use this list of state or regional public health associations to find one in your area and become an active voice for public health and anti-racism in your state today.

This post was written by Sara Rogers, MPH, Senior Policy Analyst, Health Equity, Network for Public Health Law. She is also a member of the Minnesota Public Health Association (MPHA).

The Network promotes public health and health equity through non-partisan educational resources and technical assistance. These materials provided are provided solely for educational purposes and do not constitute legal advice. The Network’s provision of these materials does not create an attorney-client relationship with you or any other person and is subject to the Network’s Disclaimer. 

Support for the Network is provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The views expressed in this post do not represent the views of (and should not be attributed to) RWJF.