Statement on the Violence in Charlottesville

Our hearts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with the victims of the attack in Charlottesville. The physical and mental health impact of racialized violence is both swift and devastating to its immediate victims, and unrelenting and enduring for the families and those of us at a greater distance.

In the aftermath of this most recent act of domestic terrorism, we were shaken, paralyzed, despondent – and now further resolved and dedicated to the goal of equity in health. We will continue to identify and disrupt racism and other forms of oppression that underlie health inequities. We will be relentless in calling attention to structural violence that disproportionately affects poor communities and communities of color. It is only with clear focus on the forces that underpin disparities that we will achieve the goal of everyone in the United States having an equal opportunity to live their healthiest life.

Sincerely,

Giselle Corbie-Smith, M.D., M.Sc.

Director, UNC Center for Health Equity Research