Frequently asked questions
Why is racism a public health issue?
Research shows centuries of racism in America has had a negative impact on communities of color. It impacts all parts of a person’s life, including where they live, work, worship, and play. It creates inequities in access to social and economic benefits, like housing, education, wealth, and employment. These conditions – often referred to as social determinants of health – are key drivers of health inequities with communities of color, placing those within these populations at greater risk for poor health outcomes. (Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Why did Olmsted County decide to get involved in taking on this initiative?
Olmsted County is a community that values and prioritizes health. In the past two years, the county has had a planned effort to focus on the ways the health of our residents is impacted by different systems and structures. In 2020, it was evident the COVID-19 pandemic was having a much more negative impact on ethnic and other minority groups. We want to balance this urgent matter with an intentional, and ongoing process of addressing the needs of our community and creating solutions.
What do you mean by racism as a public health issue?
A public health issue is something that significantly impacts the health of a community. Health is not just about the food we eat or the exercise we get – it is also about where we live and work, our access to recreation and clean air and water, and our opportunities for success. Parts of our lives that we don’t have control over impact our health. Community health relies on the health of all, and public health issues such as racism create disparate health outcomes, bringing down the health of the entire community. As a governing body, Olmsted County takes responsibility for raising this issue in an official manner and taking steps to address it. However, we all hold responsibility for community health and for taking action to ensure all can thrive.
Is racism a public health issue in Olmsted County? If so, how concerning is the issue?
Yes, racism is a public health issue impacting the residents of Olmsted County. According to the CDC, data show that racial and ethnic minority groups throughout the United States experience higher rates of illness and death across a wide range of health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma, and heart disease, when compared to their white counterparts. Additionally, the life expectancy of non-Hispanic/Black Americans is four years lower than that of white Americans. Olmsted County is no different when comparing the health outcomes of racial and ethnic minority residents and white residents. Olmsted County’s 2018-2020 Community Health Needs Assessment have identified disparities that are connected to gender, race, and ethnicity regarding graduation rates, financial stress, homelessness, as well as drug and tobacco use.
Although the poverty level for Rochester, Minnesota (6.6%) is below the state (9.6%) average, Rochester has one of the highest gaps in poverty rate between Blacks and whites in the United States. The Black poverty rate is 25%, while the white poverty rate is 5%.
What groups within Olmsted County are working on the racism as a public health issue study?
When the declaration was passed by the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners, the Olmsted County Public Health Services Advisory Board (PHSAB) and the Olmsted County Human Rights Commission (HRC) were assigned to jointly study the issue by commissioners. Racism as a public health issue is being studied by a subgroup of volunteers representing these two groups.
How long is this study expected to take?
- 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
What are the goals/objectives of the study on racism as a public health issue in Olmsted County?
Goal Statement: The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners directs 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 with special emphasis on the services the county provides and present complete findings and recommendations to the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners.
What is systemic racism?
Systemic racism, according to Cambridge Dictionary, is a set of policies and practices that exist throughout a whole society or organization, and that result in and support a continued unfair advantage to some people and unfair or harmful treatment of others based on race.
How far along is Olmsted County in this study? What has been done so far?
Since the beginning of 2021, a volunteer sub-group of the PHSAB and HRC has been learning and working diligently. The sub-group created preliminary recommendations that spanned 10 focus areas, and the focus is on services Olmsted County provides. The preliminary recommendations were shared with community groups for input March through mid-June 2022. In July and August 2022, the sub-group met five time to make revisions and finalize the recommendations. The final report and recommendations were presented to the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners on October 4, 2022. The Board accepted the report and recommendations, and work will begin this fall to develop an implementation plan based on the recommendations.
What are the final recommendations, and when will they be shared with both advisory groups?
The final recommendations were shared with the full Public Health Services Advisory Board and Human Right Commission at a joint meeting on Thursday, September 8, 2022. The community can view the report online.
How will the recommendations of this study be implemented?
Final recommendations were shared with the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners on October 4, 2022. Implementation planning will take place after that in late 2022 and through mid-2023.
How much is this study costing taxpayers?
The joint study subgroup working on this project are volunteers and giving their time. Olmsted County staff have been assigned to support this effort.
Why should taxpayers support this study?
Statement from Olmsted County Commissioner Sheila Kiscaden:
“Public health is about population health. How healthy is our community? When a group of people is having health issues, public health analyzes what is happening, figures out how to correct it, and works with the community to make those changes. There is no question that preventing disease and disability not only has positive impacts on individuals, but also provides broad community benefits. Healthy people are happier, more productive, and use fewer expensive health services. Public health investment is a win-win for the taxpayers: happier, healthier, more productive people, and less public and private expense.”
Statement from Olmsted County Commissioner Gregg Wright:
“The best way to reduce cost to taxpayers is to increase efficiency. Public health affects the entire community. The same principles that were applied to controlling tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and polio are being applied today to insure the health of the entire community. The most efficient way that Olmsted County can avoid huge costs is to employ the use of preventative measures. This also requires knowing where those preventative measures are most needed. Studying the issues that affect the health of community helps direct the best use of preventative measures which, in turn, minimizes costs and, at the same time, protects the health of the entire community. Consequently, taxpayers and the health of community are the beneficiaries of this study.”
Where can I find more information and updates on this initiative?
Residents can find updates on the Joint Study of Race and Racism as a Public Health Issue on Olmsted County’s website.