NRC Spotlight Profile: Greater Flint Michigan Coronavirus Taskforce on Racial Inequities
In response to the COVID-19, Governor Gretchen Whitmer created the Greater Flint Michigan Coronavirus Taskforce on Racial Inequities composed of 23 state officials, healthcare workers, and community organizers. The mission of the Taskforce is to increase awareness, analysis, and action against the root causes of racial disparities during the pandemic. This group has been working to develop policy recommendations for the government, businesses, and philanthropic institutions to protect vulnerable populations and ensure an inclusive and equitable restart to the economy.
The main goals of the Taskforce are:
1. Ensure equitable access, protection, and resource allocation for all residents during the COVID-19 pandemic
2. Prevent further racial disparities in COVID-19 prevention, testing, treatment/care, and outcomes
3. Promote equity in post-COVID-19 recovery.
With these goals in mind the Greater Flint Michigan Coronavirus Taskforce on Racial Inequities was able to produce a resolution to increase COVID-19 testing supplies and capacity in Flint, given the the disproportional impact of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic minority residents in May, 2020.
Governor Whitmer created the Greater Flint Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Inequities in April with an emphasis on increasing efforts to “reduce medical bias in testing and treatment.” She appointed Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II as chair of the Taskforce and has been working with Dr. Debra Furr-Holden of the Healthy Flint Research Coordinating Center for much of the Taskforce’s work. These individuals’ leadership and vision for healthcare equity has been noteworthy in addressing the racial and ethnic health disparities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sources
www.cfgf.org/Our-Work-Impact/Current-Initiatives/Greater-Flint-Coronavirus-Taskforce-on-Racial-Inequities
www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499-531728–,00.html
www.secondwavemedia.com/features/covidtaskforce10082020.aspx