Dr. Kristyn Brandi, Board Chair of Physicians for Reproductive Health, issued the following statement:
“I know that this was an incredibly hard week compounding an already challenging few months. The murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others has led to outrage and anguish among the Black community and like-minded co-conspirators who are fighting against racism in our police system and in our communities.
"So many of us are hurting right now: worried about the future, worried about our own families, wondering how we can stop losing more of our Black neighbors every day. I, like many, am struggling with the profound unrest in our world, exacerbated by the immense loss suffered disproportionately by the Black community from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we as physicians have an important role to play in breaking down racism. First and foremost, we must honor the fact that Black Lives Matter. With that held true, we must actively participate in anti-racism work.
"The killing of Black Americans through police brutality is a public health crisis. In addition to senselessly lost lives, these killings create substantial trauma for the victims’ families and for the communities they leave behind; trauma that lasts for generations. As stewards of public health, we have an obligation to call out racist institutions as a means to advocate for better health and the survival of our fellow citizens. While I hope we can get to a point where thriving is possible in Black communities, we first must work towards making sure that our Black citizens are able to survive institutions that should protect all Americans."