Five years after Cleveland recognized racism as a public health crisis, a commission has released its first report. This 52-page document examines systemic issues in education, housing, workforce, public health, and criminal justice, outlining ways to address them.
The Racism as a Public Health Crisis Coalition, which includes organizations like the Urban League and the YWCA of Greater Cleveland, started with $200,000 from the city and an additional $250,000 donation from J.P. Morgan Chase. Recently, city council members approved another $400,000 for further actions.
Critics have raised concerns regarding the slow progress of the coalition. This delay in producing the report was partly due to the time spent on certain topic areas and necessary revisions, according to Marsha Mockabee, president of the Urban League and co-chair of the coalition.
Council member Stephanie Howse-Jones emphasized that systemic issues take time to untangle. “Understanding this system didn’t happen overnight,” she noted. Education and communication are crucial parts of the process.
The coalition aims to share the report at a community town hall to gather feedback. Currently, the report remains a draft, awaiting approval from coalition committees.
Mockabee indicated that the new funding will support the coalition as it shifts into the implementation phase. They will consider their role, deciding whether to focus on advocacy or monitoring policy changes.
The report details strategies to tackle health disparities and other social factors. Each area of focus—criminal justice, education, housing, health, and economic mobility—was led by teams of experts and community members who identified key metrics and recommendations.
Gabrielle Fowlkes, the project manager, pointed out challenges in obtaining public data. However, the data they did find revealed significant disparities, such as Black homeowners being 10% more likely than their white counterparts to spend over 30% of their income on housing. Gun-related deaths among Black residents were more than triple those among white residents, and over 80% of those in high-paying jobs in Cuyahoga County were white.
Lita Wills, of the City of Cleveland’s Department of Public Health, praised the report for consolidating data related to social determinants of health. “Having all of that data in one place is a significant advantage,” she stated.
Some progress has been made, particularly in housing. New programs have helped reduce disparities, supported by federal funding for home repairs and a ban on high-cost mortgages. Programs promoting access to nutritious food are also enhancing community health, like the Beginning Farmer Program and local urban farms.
The report offers over 50 recommendations, such as collecting data on race in policing and court practices, encouraging discussions on literacy during children’s wellness checks, and offering incentives for purchasing healthy food.
As the coalition considers its next steps, Mockabee stated that community input will guide their priorities. Engaging residents in this conversation will be crucial for the coalition’s direction.
Through these efforts, Cleveland is taking vital steps to address and dismantle the systemic barriers that affect the well-being of its residents. This process is just the beginning, but it lays the groundwork for significant change.
For more insights, check the Racism as a Public Health Crisis Coalition’s report.
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Cleveland Department of Public Health
