Monday, June 19th is Juneteenth, a national holiday which commemorates the ending of the shameful institution of slavery in the United States. Join us in observing the Juneteenth holiday by highlighting health equity, reflecting on the continuing impact of slavery on the health and wellbeing of all Americans, especially Black Americans, and looking for ways we can better care for our communities.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19th, 1865, when persons held in bondage in Texas finally learned that they had become free by the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been signed months previously by President Lincoln.
To this day, there are lasting impacts on the health of Americans stemming from social injustice and racism that negatively impact communities of color. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the inequities faced by so many communities of color, and the urgent need for action.