Federal health agency would study racism and police violence

CDC would run a National Center on Antiracism and Health. Its work would cover racism’s effects on health and include at least three regional research centers in racial and ethnic minority communities. Eligible public and nonprofit organizations could receive research grants without competition. The bill would authorize Congress to provide funding but would not provide money itself.

CDC would maintain a public research database with privacy protections and consult Tribes about their data. The database would hold data from the center’s programs that lack an existing CDC tracking system. Public data would have to protect individuals’ privacy and follow federal health privacy rules. CDC would consult Tribal governments and respect Tribes’ authority over their data.

CDC would run a program to research and prevent harm from law enforcement violence. Research would cover deaths, injuries, and trauma from police encounters, including alternatives to sending law enforcement. The program would award grants and other research funding. The bill would authorize Congress to provide funding but would not provide money itself. The program would report research findings and recommendations to Congress each year.