Louisville Mayor Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis

Louisville, Ky., Mayor Greg Fischer (D) on Tuesday announced an executive order declaring racism a public health crisis in the city.

“This order lays out in stark terms the societal, economic, physical and mental health impacts of racism on not just Black Louisville, but all the people of our city,” Fischer said during a Tuesday news conference.

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Louisville became a focal point for protests calling for racial justice and police reform earlier this year following the death of Breonna Taylor. {snip}

Fischer on Tuesday laid out a plan targeting seven areas for the city’s elected officials and residents, including public safety, support for children and families, Black employment, Black wealth, housing and neighborhood investment, health and voting.

The mayor’s office on Tuesday announced a slate of projects and initiatives within each of the categories, ranging from recruiting “a police chief to build a culture of guardianship and corresponding budget reallocation” for city law enforcement to assisting Black-owned businesses and providing additional COVID-19 “testing in the Black community.”

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