CSTE Statement on Social Unrest & Unjust Treatment of Communities of Color in the U.S.

ATLANTA, Ga. (June 5, 2020) — The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) leadership – Sharon Watkins, PhD, CSTE President, State Epidemiologist at the Pennsylvania Department of Health; and Janet Hamilton, MPH, Executive Director of CSTE – have issued the following statement:

The recent tragic cases of violence against African American people and the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people of color have starkly highlighted once again the critical importance of preventing racism as a public health imperative. Racism is a longstanding systemic structure in this society, serving as a catalyst of social determinants of health, a barrier to health equity and must be dismantled.

CSTE continues to support the use of epidemiological data to drive actions at all levels to propel policy change to eliminate violence, ensure equal opportunity and health for all. Public health epidemiological data prove that communities of color experience deaths at earlier ages and higher rates of chronic and infectious diseases and racial violence, which results in adverse mental and physical health. As a non-partisan public health association of state, tribal, territorial and local epidemiologists, CSTE remains unwavering in its work to facilitate dialog, sharing of ideas, and epidemiological practices to further understand the impacts of racism, and racial and health disparities to shape policies and evidenced-based decision making to eliminate inequities and improve health outcomes. We look forward to our members and partners joining us in this immediate call to action to redouble our efforts to ensure good epidemiological science and data are available to local communities to enact policies that prevent further death and injury from racism.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, CSTE reminds those who may participate in mobilizing, organizing or peaceful protests of the following:

Plan to protest? Here are tips to reduce the risk of spreading #COVID19:

• Wear a face covering
• Wear eye protection to prevent injury
• Avoid touching your face and eyes
• Stay hydrated
• Use hand sanitizer
• Don't yell; use signs & noise makers instead
• Stick to a small group
• Keep six feet from other groups

from @nycHealthy, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

CSTE stands for respect and integrity for all. Together, let us use the power of epidemiology to advance our understanding of structural racism, violence, health disparities and their impacts on mental and physical health to achieve a healthy and just society.