Nation Racism is a declared public health issue in 145 cities and counties across 27 states. Now what happens? November 23, 2020November 24, 2020 Jordan Culver, USA TODAY Comments Off on Racism is a declared public health issue in 145 cities and counties across 27 states. Now what happens? The American Public Health Association, which tracks declarations of racism as a public health issue, counts 145 across 27 states — up from 7 in 2019.