In a statement attributed to Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) President Anna McMaster, MD, the OAFP rebuked comments made by Senator Stephen A. Huffman, MD (R- Tipp City, OH), during the June 9th hearing on Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 14, a resolution to declare racism a public health crisis. The OAFP presented written testimony in support of SCR 14.
Dr. McMaster’s statement, in part, says that “Sen. Huffman’s comments on June 9th were inappropriate, insensitive, and not in keeping with the fundamental values that inform and guide of work of the OAFP.”
“The OAFP seeks to ensure that African American Ohioans feel valued and respected as equal members of society. Racism that happens in our country today, and that has happened in our country for centuries, is unacceptable,” the statement continues.
The statement goes on to say, “The OAFP opposes all forms of institutional racism and supports efforts to actively dismantle racist and discriminatory practices and policies. Racism negatively impacts the health outcomes of our patients. The elimination of health disparities will not be achieved without first acknowledging racism’s contribution to health and social inequalities. The COVID-19 pandemic’s disproportionately severe impact on communities of color clearly illuminates how systemic racism is a threat to public health. Sadly, the comments of Sen. Huffman, a licensed physician, demonstrate how implicit bias and institutional racism are present not only in the halls of the Statehouse but also in health care. We recognize we all must act against the public health crisis that is racism.”
In collaboration with the American Academy of Family Physicians and its Center for Diversity and Health Equity, the OAFP plans to host a Limiting Implicit Bias Training program in September to promote awareness of implicit bias among the entire health care team and to provide resources for mitigating the negative effects of that bias on patient care.
The statement concludes by staying, “We support the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus call for Senate and House legislators and staff to immediately take racial equity and implicit bias training.”