This message went out to our 211 state legislators last week as they prepared to return to Albany to debate and vote on anti-racism and anti-violence legislation. Please feel free to share this widely.
Dear Legislator,
On behalf of our client, the NYS American Academy of Pediatrics, please find the statement below and a link to the report: The Impact of Racism on Child and Adolescent Health.
We, the more than 5,000 pediatricians across New York State urge you, our state leaders, to pass laws and create policies which directly address the current unacceptable levels of racism in our state and nation.
As AAP stated last year in our policy statement "Racism and Its Impact on Child and Adolescent Health,” racism’s societal impact, particularly on communities of color and populations that are historically disenfranchised, is wide-reaching, systemic, and complex. A growing body of scientific research has found that racism harms children’s mental and physical health in myriad ways. We are watching this play out now, in real time and we cannot avoid a deep examination of how to improve the role of policing. Systemic violence requires systemic responses.
Please take the time to use this link and read our full report: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/144/2/e20191765
Allow the science to inform your actions going forward. This generation and the next generation of New Yorkers are depending on you.
For more information contact:
Elie Ward, MSW
Director of Policy & Advocacy
NYS American Academy of Pediatrics
eward@aap.net
New York State American Academy of Pediatrics (NYS AAP)
A Coalition of AAP NY Chapters 1, 2, & 3
Elie Ward, MSW | Dir. of Policy, Advocacy & External Relations | eward@aap.net