Item 2: Draft Recommendation — original pdf

Backup

Resolution Proposal: Protecting and Sustaining Local Public Health Infrastructure and Equity in Austin Submitted to: City of Austin City Council Date: XX-XX-XXXX Submitted by: Joint Inclusion Committee WHEREAS, public health is defined as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting physical health and efficiency through organized community efforts,” and serves as the foundation for community resilience and equitable well-being; and WHEREAS, Austin Public Health (APH) provides vital population-level services that protect over 1.35 million residents, including immunization clinics, HIV and STD testing and treatment, refugee health screenings, violence prevention programming, substance misuse support, and neighborhood centers offering basic needs assistance; and WHEREAS, core public health infrastructure funding in the amount of $9,500,000 is currently at risk due to unstable federal funding streams and national-level proposals to reduce or eliminate key public health support; and WHEREAS, the federal political climate—marked by increasing hostility toward racial equity efforts and public health institutions—has created uncertainty for municipalities dependent on federal dollars, putting local public health outcomes in jeopardy; and WHEREAS, local data show clear racial disparities in public health outcomes in Austin, including: • Black and Hispanic children are 5 to 7 times more likely to live in poverty than their White counterparts, increasing vulnerability to chronic illness, food insecurity, and poor educational outcomes; • East Austin residents face significantly higher rates of environmental hazards and urban heat exposure, contributing to cardiovascular and respiratory disease; • Communities of color experience higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma, which are exacerbated by inequities in access to care and healthy environments; and WHEREAS, prevention-focused public health investments yield high returns, with studies showing that for every $1 invested in public health, $14 are saved in downstream health care costs and productivity losses; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s stated values—Equity, Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, and Engagement—demand proactive investment in services that reduce health disparities and strengthen community resilience; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1 The Joint Inclusion Committee strongly recommends the City of Austin fully protect the $9,500,000 currently allocated to Core Public Health Infrastructure. 2 The Committee urges the City to establish a dedicated $6 million public health reserve fund to ensure continuity of essential services in the event of further federal disinvestment or emergency needs. 3 The City should commit to prioritizing funding for public health programs that directly address racial and socioeconomic health disparities, with transparent reporting and equitable community engagement built into planning and implementation.  4 The Joint Inclusion Committee calls upon City Council to take leadership in advocating at the state and national levels for sustained investment in local public health systems and to oppose federal-level efforts that jeopardize public health funding, particularly for historically underserved communities. CALL TO ACTION: We ask each department, board, and commission to affirm their commitment to a healthy, safe, equitable Austin by supporting this resolution, amplifying the need for local investment in public health, and ensuring that equity is at the center of all budget and policy decisions. Together, we must act now to prevent further harm, protect our communities, and build a resilient public health system that works for everyone.