Governor Sisolak signed a proclamation to formally name racism as a public health crisis yesterday. Officials said given Nevada’s diverse population, this call to action raises awareness so Nevada does not perpetuate poor health outcomes due to systemic racism during and after the pandemic.

“Institutional and systemic racism has gone on far too long in this country and in this State. Based on research, we are taking a proactive approach in joining fellow leaders around the country to declare racism as a public health crisis, “ said Governor Steve Sisolak. “I am grateful to be joined by the Nevada Legislature in recognizing that racism manifests in measurable ways, including in public health. I look forward to working with Nevada leaders and the Office of Minority Health and Equity on this critical issue.”

I am grateful to be joined by the Nevada Legislature in recognizing that racism manifests in measurable ways, including in public health. I look forward to working with Nevada leaders and the Office of Minority Health and Equity on this critical issue.

— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) August 6, 2020

This proclamation enhances work already being done by the State’s Office of Minority Health & Equity, which was initially created in ’05 & expanded in ’17. The Office engages communities statewide to promote health equity & combat health disparities through advocacy & education.

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— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) August 6, 2020

Fox 11:

Gov. Steve Sisolak issued a proclamation to formally name racism as a public health crisis today.

[…]

According to the governor’s office, experts and studies have shown that negative social determinants, with racism being at the forefront, have adversely impacted the health of minority communities. This has also been demonstrated in many forms including inequitable access to mental health services and a lack of educational and career opportunities, among many others.

The Governor’s Office says experts and studies show that negative social determinants, with racism being at the forefront, have impacted the health of minority communities. They said this has also been demonstrated in many forms including inequitable access to mental health services and a lack of educational and career opportunities, among others. More

Full proclamation:

8.5 Proclamation by Scott Magruder on Scribd