NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Metro Council unanimously supported a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis in Nashville and Davidson County.
District 2 Councilmember Kyontzé Toombs pointed out the mortality rate for Black mothers during childbirth, claiming that they are twice as likely to die as their white counterparts.
Toombs invoked a rule that let all Councilmembers who voted in favor of the resolution be added as a co-sponsor. Toombs noted that the council passed a similar resolution in 2020 declaring racism a public health crisis.
"This is the Council taking a stand, recognizing those disparities and that systemic racism is a problem," Toombs said. "Lifting up the work that our Health Department already does and encourage them to do even more work so that we can eradicate systemic racism and the impact it has had on our society."
The resolution filing, Metro Council would pledge to dismantle racism and address its associated health disparities through specific actions.
“To effectively address racism as a public health crisis, the Metro Council commits to encouraging the Metro Nashville Health Department to strengthen partnerships, utilize data-driven decision-making, advocate for relevant policies, implement workforce development strategies, engage with the community and collaborate on systemic change,” the resolution filing said, in part.
No Councilmembers objected to the resolution, which passed by voice vote.