ASPHN PRIORITIZES:
SITUATION
The COVID-19 pandemic and numerous recent acts of brutality have exposed our nation’s painful and continuous structural discrimination and systemic racism. These heinous practices are deeply embedded in our institutions’ systems, perpetuating inequities where we live, work, receive care, and play. Many state and local leaders are declaring racism a public health crisis or emergency in an effort to address equity and justice within their communities.
PRIORITY STATEMENT
As members of the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN), we have a responsibility to respond with intention to the urgency of the longstanding oppression of the Indigenous, People of Color (POC), and LGBTQIA+ communities.
In order to assure we are a more inclusive and equitable organization, ASPHN’s policies, practices, and programs must prioritize inclusion, involvement, and the professional advancement of all members. This includes members of every age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status.
PRIORITY STATEMENT
As members of the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN), we have a responsibility to respond with intention to the urgency of the longstanding oppression of the Indigenous, People of Color (POC), and LGBTQIA+ communities.
In order to assure we are a more inclusive and equitable organization, ASPHN’s policies, practices, and programs must prioritize inclusion, involvement, and the professional advancement of all members. This includes members of every age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status.
ASPHN TAKES INITIATIVE
ASPHN is taking tangible steps to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as reduce disparities. This webpage has been created to serve as a portal to our work in these critical areas.
We believe diverse ideas and perspectives will strengthen our organization and help us grow collectively as well as individually. We are committed to productive discourse in respectful and safe environments, and we want to listen and learn. From one another. From experts in the fields of inequity and inequality. And from those who have been affected and continue to be impacted by injustice and unfair practices. We recognize these conversations may sometimes cause discomfort, but we know experiencing these feelings will help us evolve.
We will act on what we learn. The actions we are undertaking align with our mission as public health nutritionists to improve health equity across the nation.
“Our field believes nutrition is a right, not a privilege. Our work increases access to affordable, healthy foods and good nutrition for at-risk populations. We are committed to putting those same values and passion into making our own association more inclusive and equitable.”
– Tiffani Grant, MS, RDN, LD
Bureau Director for the Mississippi State Department of Health
ASPHN 2021 President
HELP US TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
RECOMMEND A RESOURCE
This is an issue we all care about. Please let us know about printed products, podcasts, websites, videos, webinars, etc. on the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion that we can share with our members.
SHARE YOUR WORK
We want to learn about and promote your successful initiatives to prioritize equity and inclusion in the work place. We also want to learn about and share program changes that you’ve made addressing health and nutrition disparities.
TELL US WHAT YOU NEED
Do you have questions about how to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion at work? Whether it’s increasing your learning, improving your skills, or looking for practical resources to address nutrition and health disparities in your programs, we’d like to hear from you.