June 9, 2020 (Washington, D.C.) The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) stands united with voices speaking out against racism in the United States represented by the dual tragedies of George Floyd’s brutal death at the hands of Minneapolis police and the devastating impact COVID-19 is having on communities of color. We hear the calls for change and pledge ourselves to redouble our efforts to assist.
 
We also recognize that statements of support and solidarity are inadequate; real change requires both affirmation and action.
 
Truly achieving health equity means eliminating racism and discrimination in all forms.  Racial disparities in health status and outcomes – whether in terms of disproportionate prevalence of chronic conditions, severity of disease and degree of complications, or ultimately, life expectancy – create inequalities in educational and economic opportunities.  Racial disparities in educational and economic opportunity negatively affect health status.  We cannot break this cycle of injustice without approaching health, its social determinants, and the society barriers that allow and encourage discrimination holistically.
 
We join the many national and community leaders both within the Partnership and the broader community dedicated to addressing barriers to equity in health access, quality of care, and outcomes. 
 
PFCD stands committed to our goals of addressing the burden of chronic disease on all in America, motivating calls for change, and challenging policy makers to show leadership in guiding legislation that creates sustainable progress, especially in communities where the burdens of chronic disease are greatest. 
 
 
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The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is an international coalition of hundreds of patient, provider, community, business and labor groups, and health policy experts, committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability and rising health care costs: chronic disease.