Joint Statement on Racism

Washington’s nine Accountable Communities of Health (ACHs) share in the sorrow and anger of our communities and stand in solidarity with protests against police brutality. The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others expose the persistence of racism and racial violence in the United States.  The health and well-being of people of color are integral to the health and well-being of our nation and our state; therefore, we are united in saying that Black Lives Matter.

The recent cases of violence against Black people and the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people of color have highlighted once again the importance of combating racism as a public health imperative. All of the ACHs have made a commitment to meaningful action to advance equity in our communities. It is clear that work must not only continue but intensify. We are committed to working, individually and collectively, to develop meaningful action plans to dismantle structural and systemic racism. We call on our state, our regions, our partners and providers to join us in this fight to do better.