Honoring Juneteenth and Advancing Black Health

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the liberation of the last enslaved people in the Confederacy, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Recognizing the significance of this historical moment, Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021 to honor the resilience and contributions of African Americans and to promote awareness of the ongoing struggle for racial equality. As a federal holiday, it serves as a reminder of the importance of freedom, justice, and the need to confront the legacy of slavery in America.

That legacy includes the consequences of delayed justice – where rights and protections exist on paper but are not shared, enforced, or accessible to those who need them. As a public health system, we must confront that history by ensuring our services, decisions, and information reach everyone with intention and equity.

This Juneteenth, I want to reaffirm that Contra Costa Health (CCH) is committed to upholding dignity, safety, and equity for all. We must not hinder the sharing and provision of care. Instead, let us be intentional in our outreach and services. Let us stand united for everyone and renew our commitment to creating a health system where access to quality healthcare and achievement of health equity are universal rights, not delayed or conditional.

Through our Black Infant Health program, Perinatal Equity Initiative, and other similarly focused efforts we are actively addressing systemic health disparities with culturally responsive, community-driven care. These programs connect families to essential resources, alleviate stress and isolation, and foster safer, more empowering pathways to wellness. 

This commitment to equity is an integral part of our broader work, encompassing our collaborations with community organizations, our internal equity initiatives, and our engagement with the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice. 

Juneteenth calls us to celebrate progress, reckon with history, and recommit to a future where health and dignity belong to everyone. Thank you to each of you who helps make that future possible. 

In celebration and gratitude,

Ori Tzvieli, MD MS

Chief Executive Officer and Health Director (Interim)

Health Officer, Contra Costa County