Closing the Racial Equity Gap
Adopted at the 88th Annual Meeting in 2020
WHEREAS, infection rates and deaths caused by COVID-19 in African Americans and Latinx are disproportionately high across the United States; and
WHEREAS, continued underreporting suggests that these rates may be higher, and insufficient data is a roadblock to solutions; and
WHEREAS, supply shortages and an imbalance in nationwide distribution mean testing and personal protective equipment have often been lacking in areas where it is most needed; and
WHEREAS, the essential workers who put their health and safety at risk daily - and who allow us to keep our communities safe and moving - are disproportionately black and brown; and
WHEREAS, the disproportionality that exists for black and brown communities in exposure to environmental health risks and lack of access to adequate healthcare are conditions are compounded by COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the existing data on COVID-19 is a familiar pattern: a higher rate of sickness and disease falls onto our historically under-resourced communities; and
WHEREAS, the populations most vulnerable to COVID-19 are in many cases those who will feel an economic downturn most acutely; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 has laid bare long-standing inequalities; and
WHEREAS, the members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors find these disparities wholly unacceptable; and
WHEREAS, it is our responsibility and duty to take lessons learned from COVID-19 and apply them to all policies looking forward to closing the gap, as well as tapping into community-based assets to reach vulnerable populations and connect them with existing resources,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors affirms its commitment to close the racial equity gap around COVID-19, and prioritizing resources, health equipment, testing, and healthcare services to the most vulnerable; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all levels of government can help close the racial equity gap by intentionally crafting policy that promotes equitable outcomes, and we must learn from this pandemic and execute on policies that promote equity moving forward; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all levels of government must look through a racial equity lens, which includes disaggregating data by race and ethnicity, which is critical to understanding the depth of our challenges and identifying the most equitable path forward.