The Racism as a Public Health Crisis Coalition, which formed in 2020, shared its work at two community-focused meetings this year. In January and February, it will hold several community meetings where residents can learn about the group’s work and share feedback.
The Racism as a Public Health Crisis Coalition (RAPHC-C), which formed in 2020 when the city declared racism a public health crisis, held a town hall meeting on Friday. The group’s co-chair Marsha Mockabee said the event was an “appetizer” for more community engagement coming in the future.
The standards presented by the Healthy Kids' Meal Coalition would require restaurants to offer healthier options, such as whole grain bread instead of white bread, in bundled kids' meals.
Two years ago, Cleveland City Council passed a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. Now, the coalition tasked with addressing the crisis is taking its first public steps.
Fifty years ago, when Clevelanders needed to fund schools, pay for parks or expand libraries they relied on booming tax revenue from large companies. General Motors, Republic Steel Corp. and Ford Motor Co. employed thousands of people and provided a tax base to fund services for the community. But Cuyahoga County's economy has changed.
For years, hospitals and public policy wonks have been engaged in an ongoing debate over whether nonprofit hospitals provide adequate benefits to the community to make the tax breaks they receive a good deal for taxpayers. That debate is further complicated by the history of racist policies like redlining that still affect Clevelanders today.
An Ideastream analysis of Cuyahoga County fiscal records shows that the clinic owned at least $2.4 billion in tax-exempt property countywide as of 2018 assessments. If that property was taxable, it would contribute about $84 million to government coffers annually.
Cleveland City Council created a coalition of government leaders and advocacy groups to dismantle systemic racism in the city when it declared racism a public health crisis two years ago. Since then, the coalition leadership says the group has met monthly in secrecy.
Cuyahoga County officials say they’re committed to reducing health disparities through through economic development, but some local racial equity experts and community stakeholders question whether the county’s initiatives are having a real impact.
Snow fell outside last Saturday, but the mood was warmer inside the Amour Du Christ Church on Clark Avenue where a few of Cleveland’s Congolese refugees braved the cold for a health clinic.
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