Declaring racism a public health crisis.

House Resolution

H.Res. 119

119th Congress

Declaring racism a public health crisis.

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 6, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Sam B. Graves

Representative

Republican

MO-6

Cosponsors

14

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Health

Summary

This resolution formally declares that racism is a public health crisis in the United States. It documents racial disparities in health outcomes across different communities, including differences in life expectancy, maternal mortality, infant mortality, and disease rates. The resolution recognizes racism as a social determinant of health that affects access to healthcare, housing, education, and other factors that influence health outcomes.

Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

SponsorSam B. Graves (R-MO)

Introduced2/6/2025

StatusReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary,

ChamberHouse

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Vote Prediction

Declaring racism a public health crisis.

This resolution formally declares that racism is a public health crisis in the United States. It documents racial disparities in health outcomes across different communities, including differences in life expectancy, maternal mortality, infant mortality, and d

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This resolution formally declares that racism is a public health crisis in the United States. It documents racial disparities in health outcomes across different communities, including differences in life expectancy, maternal mortality, infant mortality, and disease rates. The resolution recognizes racism as a social determinant of health that affects access to healthcare, housing, education, and other factors that influence health outcomes.

Bill Number: 119
Sponsor: Sam B. Graves (R-MO)
Introduced: 2/6/2025
Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary,
Policy Area: Health

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Declaring racism a public health crisis.
Bill Number: 119
Sponsor: Sam B. Graves (R-MO)
Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary,
Introduced: 2/6/2025
Summary: This resolution formally declares that racism is a public health crisis in the United States. It documents racial disparities in health outcomes across different communities, including differences in life expectancy, maternal mortality, infant mortality, and disease rates. The resolution recognizes

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This resolution formally declares that racism is a public health crisis in the United States. It documents racial disparities in health outcomes across different communities, including differences in life expectancy, maternal mortality, infant mortality, and disease rates. The resolution recognizes racism as a social determinant of health that affects access to healthcare, housing, education, and other factors that influence health outcomes.

Last updated: 3/5/2026

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

The resolution declares racism a public health crisis based on documented health disparities affecting Black, Hispanic, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, and Alaska Native communities.
It cites specific health inequities, including that Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native people have life expectancies 4 to 10 years lower than non-Hispanic White people.
The resolution notes that Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are 2 to 4 times more likely than White women to experience severe complications or death related to pregnancy.
It recognizes racism as a social determinant of health that influences factors like housing, employment, education, healthcare access, and environmental conditions.
The resolution acknowledges historical policies and practices, including slavery, broken treaties with indigenous communities, and discriminatory immigration laws, as contributing to current health inequities.

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This resolution does not create new laws or programs, but serves as a formal statement by the House of Representatives acknowledging racial health disparities. It could influence future legislation, funding priorities, or policy approaches related to public health and healthcare equity. The declaration may affect how federal agencies and lawmakers address health disparities in communities of color.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Health

Related Subjects

Health care coverage and access

Health care quality

Minority health

Racial and ethnic relations

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

119, 119th Congress (2025). "Declaring racism a public health crisis.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hres-119

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