House Resolution 117
By: Representatives Schofield of the 63rd, Burnough of the 77th, Jackson of the 68th, Davis
of the 87th, and Scott of the 76th
A RESOLUTION
Acknowledging inequality as a public health issue and supporting BIPOC communities
disproportionately affected by systemic barriers; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the United States has historically and systemically disadvantaged racial, ethnic,
and religious groups, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), creating
inequities in public health and societal outcomes that persist today; and
WHEREAS, structural bias manifests in differential access by race to opportunities,
resources, conditions, and power within the country's medical, educational, and public health
systems, disproportionately impacting BIPOC communities; and
WHEREAS, BIPOC individuals face disproportionately high rates of chronic health
conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke, largely due to the cumulative effects of
systemic inequities, stress, and barriers to equitable care; and
WHEREAS, the trauma associated with systemic inequities extends beyond physical health,
profoundly impacting mental health and well-being for BIPOC communities, as evidenced
by increased rates of stress-related disorders, depression, anxiety, and exposure to community
violence; and
WHEREAS, the arts have been recognized globally as a powerful tool to promote healing,
resilience, and mental well-being, with art therapy emerging as a clinically validated
intervention for addressing trauma, stress, and mental health disparities in BIPOC
populations; and
WHEREAS, creative expression through the arts provides an accessible and culturally
resonant way to process grief, pain, and systemic injustice, fostering community connections
and individual empowerment for BIPOC communities; and
WHEREAS, art therapy, as a trauma-informed practice, has shown effectiveness in reducing
symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), improving emotional regulation, and
providing an outlet for individuals and communities disproportionately affected by systemic
inequities; and
WHEREAS, mental health is a critical component of public health, and addressing inequity
as a public health crisis must include integrative approaches like the arts to mitigate the
long-term impacts of trauma on BIPOC communities; and
WHEREAS, public health organizations such as the American Medical Association, the
American Public Health Association, and others have declared inequity a public health issue
and emphasized the importance of innovative, interdisciplinary solutions to address its
impacts on BIPOC populations; and
WHEREAS, prioritizing investments in arts and health initiatives will amplify the state's
efforts to reduce disparities in health outcomes, particularly for BIPOC communities
historically marginalized due to systemic inequities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body acknowledge systemic inequity as a public health crisis in the State
of Georgia, particularly its impact on BIPOC communities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body recognize the essential role
of arts and art therapy as medicine to heal trauma, address mental health disparities, and
build community resilience in response to systemic inequities affecting BIPOC individuals
and communities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body advocate for the integration
of arts-based solutions into public health policies and programs addressing racial and
systemic disparities in health and mental health outcomes, particularly for BIPOC
populations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body encourage funding for
community arts initiatives and art therapy programs, particularly in schools, healthcare
settings, and community organizations that serve BIPOC populations and other marginalized
communities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
Commissioner of Health, the Attorney General, and other relevant stakeholders in public
health and the arts.