FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations
Statement from APHA Executive Director Georges C. Benjamin, MD
On this day, as the American Public Health Association continues its mission to improve the health of the public and achieve equity in health status, it is imperative that we honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the major catalyst behind the civil rights movement and the ensuing achievements made toward racial justice.
Dr. King’s lasting impacts in areas such as fair housing, education and the right to participate in one’s democracy are fundamental principles that we acknowledge as critical factors in the overall well-being of every American. Yet we must be honest: we have a long way to go to combat our epidemic of racism and the consequential disparities that still plague our country.
As Dr. King once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Let his legacy inspire us to speak out against any injustice we see, especially those that threaten the public’s health.
My thanks go out to Dr. King for his enduring example and to all those who play a role in helping APHA chart the path toward our goal of creating a healthier nation that is more just, where everyone has the opportunity to live a long, healthy life.
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The American Public Health Association champions the health of all people and all communities. We are the only organization that combines a nearly 150-year perspective, a broad-based member community and the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.