Joint study of race and racism as a public health issue
In August 2020, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution directing two of its volunteer advisory groups – the Olmsted County Public Health Services Advisory Board (PHSAB) and the Olmsted County Human Rights Commission (HRC) – to jointly study and investigate racial disparities that result from systemic racism as a public health issue.
A volunteer subgroup of the PHSAB and HRC worked on the study since early 2021. Preliminary recommendations were shared with Olmsted County employees and community groups for input in March through mid-June 2022. The subgroup met in July and August 2022 to make revisions and finalize the recommendations.
On Tuesday, October 4, 2022, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners accepted the final recommendations in the joint study of race and racism as a public health issue. Work to develop an implementation plan based on the recommendations is underway.
Joint study report and recommendations
Joint study letter of support from PHSAB and HRC
Joint study summary in English
Joint study summary in Spanish: Resumen ejecutivo del estudio conjunto - Español
Joint study summary in Somali: Soo koobidda fulinta daraasad wadajir ah
Joint study summary in Arabic: الموجز الكامل في اللغة العربية
History and future plans
March through mid-June 2022: Solicited community feedback on preliminary recommendations.
End of June - July 2022: Volunteer sub-group members and assigned Olmsted County staff reviewed all feedback.
End of summer 2022: Final recommendations were drafted.
October 4, 2022: Final recommendations and report presented to the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners.
Fall 2022: Implementation planning
One Olmsted
One Olmsted is Olmsted County's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative. Our mission with One Olmsted is to eliminate disparities and create equitable outcomes for everyone in Olmsted County through our commitment to diversity and inclusion and development of strong community partnerships.
Questions?
If you have any questions or would like additional information on Olmsted County’s joint study on race and racism as a public health issue, please email Olmsted County Management Analyst Leigh Durbahn.