Statement From State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 17, 2025) – "On Monday we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his mission of fighting for equality and human rights and eliminating racism and injustice.

"The mission of the Department of Health is to protect and promote the health and well-being for all, built on a foundation of health equity. Each day, in honor of Dr. King's legacy, we at the State Department of Health address racial disparities in health outcomes, work to eradicate bias in health care and promote health equity for all New Yorkers.

"Dr. King was a beacon of hope, tenacity and resilience. And even though Dr. King relentlessly fought against racial inequities, those same inequalities are still prevalent. Sadly, due to systemic racism, health disparities still exist.

"Dr. King once said, 'Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.

"Each day I, along with our dedicated public servants at the State Health Department, commit ourselves to fighting for humanity and to making our state healthier for all New Yorkers, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, language access, immigration, or socio-economic status.

"We will continue to work on eliminating health disparities and fight for justice and equality for everyone just as the great Dr. Martin Luther King did."