The New York State Department of Health issued a statement on Juneteenth, highlighting the ongoing need to address health disparities affecting Black New Yorkers and other communities of color. Dr. James McDonald, the state’s health commissioner, said the holiday is both a time for celebration and reflection on continued efforts toward justice.
“Juneteenth is a time for celebration, reflection and continued commitment to justice. While we commemorate the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, we must also recognize that the struggle for health equity continues,” McDonald stated.
He emphasized that systemic racism has contributed to ongoing differences in health outcomes, citing maternal mortality rates and chronic diseases as examples. “The New York State Department of Health reaffirms its commitment to advancing health equity and dismantling the systemic racism that has led to persistent disparities in health outcomes for Black New Yorkers and communities of color. These inequities, rooted in generations of injustice, remain evident in issues like maternal mortality, chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes and access to quality care,” he said.
McDonald noted that while Juneteenth marks an important point in American history, it also serves as a reminder of remaining challenges. “Although Juneteenth marks a historic milestone in our nation’s progress, it also reminds us of the work that still lies ahead. We must continue to acknowledge the structural barriers that continue to affect health outcomes.”
He credited Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration with prioritizing efforts to remove those barriers: “Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership, the Department remains focused on removing those barriers. We are working to ensure every New Yorker, regardless of race or background, has access to quality care, resources and the opportunity to live a healthy and full life.”
Concluding his remarks on Juneteenth’s significance beyond commemoration alone, McDonald said: “On Juneteenth, we honor the resilience, strength and contributions of Black Americans. Let us continue to build a future where health equity is not only a goal, but a reality. We all have a responsibility to confront injustice and advocate for a healthier New York for all.”
