As a unique organization at the crossroads of health care and corrections, we are more than aware of the systemic racism and injustice faced by black Americans. We join our supporting organizations in speaking out to call for equality for all.
It has been well documented that black Americans have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease than other groups, and black children have a 500% higher death rate from asthma compared with white children.
In the COVID-19 pandemic, reports indicate that that the death rate for black Americans is twice as high as that of white Americans.
Within our own recently completed Study of COVID-19 in Corrections, our sample indicated a COVID-19 rate (June 1) in incarcerated people of 14,177 per 100,000 black individuals compared to 4,094 for 100,000 white individuals.
Problems of systemic racism and mass incarceration plague the justice system, with a national incarceration rate for black individuals of 2,306 per 100,000 and for white individuals of 450 per 100,000.
Our patients in corrections are a mirror to the ills affecting our society with trauma, poor health care, and poverty contributing to their difficulties.
We support all who seek to make our justice system more just, more fair, and more inclusive. We look forward to working with you to improve the health of our patients and their communities.
Thank you for being our partner in correctional health care,
Deborah Ross, CCHP
Chief Executive Officer, NCCHC
Robby Morris, MD, CCHP-P
Chairman, Board of Directors
Additional Links
NCCHC, Supporting Organizations Speak Up Against Racism
June 1 Study of COVID-19 in Correctional Facilities
COVID-19 in Correctional Facilities: Screening, Testing, Race and Ethnicity
