Addressing Racism and COVID-19

This one-hour webinar, which is part of the Hot Topics series, explores the root causes of COVID-19 health inequities.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the origins of the health equity work in King County, Washington.
• Review new data about COVID-19 that reveal its disproportionate impacts on communities of color.
• Explore strategies for addressing structural racism and strengthening resilience in underrepresented communities.

Intended Audiences

Local, state, and tribal public health professionals

Presenter

Matías Valenzuela, Equity Director, Public Health - Seattle & King County and Director of COVID-19 Community Mitigation and Recovery

Discussion Questions

1. Has your agency reviewed race and ethnicity data related to COVID-19 for your jurisdiction?
2. What work has your organization done to better understand the root causes of health and equity?
3. Name one action you could take to learn more about the impacts of racism on people’s health.
4. Name one action you could take to address structural racism in your public health work.

Slides and Resources

• Slides | Slide handout (3 slides per page)
• King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan 2016–2022 (PDF)
• King County COVID Race and Ethnicity Data Dashboard
• Making meaning of the COVID-19 race and ethnicity data: A conversation with our Health Officer and our Equity Officer