NEW ORLEANS - During today's regular meeting, the Council welcomed Health and Equity Strategists for the New Orleans Health Department Dr. Torrie T. Harris and Dr. Maurice G. Sholas of emPOWER NOLA to discuss the link between historical policy and current health inequities.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have deemed both structural and interpersonal racism as fundamental causes of health disease disparities, finding a direct correlation between communities with greater risk of poor health outcomes and access to quality care and treatment options. Citing the national data, today’s presentations provided a historical analysis of predominantly black communities across New Orleans, highlighting centuries-long health and social inequities that have put many racial and ethnic minorities at increased risk of disease.