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Midwest Pain Society - Statement on structural racism as an urgent public health crisis

The Midwest Pain Society (MPS) stands with other healthcare organizations and colleagues in recognition that racism undermines public health. Black Americans experience a continuum of systemic racism, discrimination, and injustices that result in reduced health care access, lesser quality of health care, and greater health risks as compared to other Americans. These inequities have come to the forefront during the current coronavirus pandemic. MPS agrees with the replacement of policies and systems that have historically marginalized and oppressed black Americans, with structures that ensure equal justice and opportunity to all. We join other organizations in calling on policymakers, law enforcement, fellow health professionals, and all Americans to address structural racism as an urgent public health crisis. We commit ourselves to open discussion of racism, and to the identification and elimination of barriers to equal treatment in our own organizations. We invite all members to renew their commitments to embrace diversity and confront racism.