The Virginia Rural Health Association (VRHA) stands in solidarity with communities of color as we fight against the systematic and internalized racism deeply embedded within our country and its institutions. Structural racism is a public health crisis, and its effects are detrimental to the physical and mental health of all individuals and communities. It is an underlying condition contributing to health inequities and the disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality borne by racial minorities.
In 2015, the VRHA Board of Directors made a commitment to address multiculturalism and rural health. Since that time, VRHA has increased diversity in its membership and board of directors, included health equity topics in its educational programs, and activity participated in the Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Advisory Council on Health Disparity and Health Equity.
It is evident that VRHA must do more. Health disparities for Virginia’s African American citizens include higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. African American women in Virginia are three times more likely to die after giving birth than white women. Our African American brothers and sisters are disproportionately harmed by COVID-19.
VRHA’s mission is to improve the health of rural Virginians through education, advocacy, and fostering cooperative partnerships. In the spirit of that mission, VRHA hereby pledges to address racial inequities at our events, through our outreach projects, in our policy initiatives, and within our own leadership.
VRHA stands against the racial injustices that continue to plague our country, and we are committed to advocate with all communities of color, especially those in rural Virginia. As a health-focused organization, it is our duty to ensure these communities have equitable access to social justice, education, housing, employment, and healthcare.
The fight against racism is an ongoing battle and VRHA is committed to keep taking a part in it. We support our members as they work to strengthen health equity within all communities, and we will continue to provide a platform for our rural communities of color throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia to be heard.