WHEREAS, public health's responsibility to address racism includes reshaping statewide discourse and agendas so that we all actively engage in racial justice work; and

WHEREAS, in Nevada, more than 50% of the population is racially/ ethnically diverse and at risk of poor health outcomes due to systemic racism; and

WHEREAS, structural racism has resulted in race as a social determinant of health, with persistent racial disparities in criminal justice, housing, education, health care, employment, worker protections, climate, food access, and technology; and

WHEREAS, racism manifests in distinct ways across other social intersections including gender identity, sexual orientation, class, disability, immigration status and age, and collectively reinforces the racial hierarchy throughout these intersections which weakens the strength of our entire humanity; and

WHEREAS, social determinants of health have a disproportionate impact on communities of color, including increased exposure to environmental hazards, poor air quality, lack of safe places to recreate, lack of mental health services and lack of educational and career opportunities; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the racial disparities within Nevada's racial/ethnic communities ranging from health care access to risk exposure and hospitalization; and

WHEREAS, more than 100 studies have linked racism to negative health outcomes, including research supporting that the cumulative experience of racism throughout one's life can induce chronic stress making Black populations particularly susceptible to chronic health conditions that lead to otherwise preventable deaths; and

WHEREAS, the promotion of the diversification of decision-making bodies across all sectors directly or indirectly impacting health with people representing all marginalized categories will make our state stronger for all Nevadans;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim

RACISM, AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS