How Juneteenth inspires reflection, activism, and action toward meaningful racial equality in America.
Celebrate Freedom Day – Juneteenth 2025
As a Black man and public health leader, I carry the weight of history with me every day. Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, is more than a symbolic day on the calendar. In 2025, its relevance reaches far beyond Black communities, demanding attention from all people, in all places. It should be a national checkpoint where we assess not only how far we’ve come, but how far we still have to go. The fight for justice and equity continues, and the health of our communities depends on how seriously we take that responsibility.
Why Juneteenth Matters
Juneteenth, short for “June Nineteenth,” marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and announce the end of slavery, two and a half years after it was originally issued. While slavery legally ended, systemic inequities were preserved through segregation, discriminatory policies, and socio-economic exclusion that persisted for generations (Gates, 2020). For many Black Americans, Juneteenth remains a powerful reminder of both the endurance of our ancestors and the unfinished journey toward equity.
Today, in a nation grappling with racial reckonings and political polarization, Juneteenth offers more than remembrance—it offers a lens to examine the structural barriers that still affect Black lives. Juneteenth reminds us that freedom without equity isn’t freedom at all.
Juneteenth: A Public Health Perspective
Social determinants of health—the conditions in which people live, learn, work, and play—are inextricably linked to the legacy of slavery and racism. Issues such as inadequate housing, underfunded education systems, limited access to nutritious foods and healthcare, and disproportionate exposure to violence and environmental hazards are deeply rooted in historical policies like redlining and economic exclusion (Bailey et al., 2017).
Black Americans still face higher rates of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma compared to their white counterparts (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). These disparities are manifestations of deeply entrenched inequities.
Juneteenth becomes a public health issue when we consider the toll of intergenerational trauma, systemic racism, and unequal access to care. Mental health challenges are particularly prevalent in Black communities, yet stigma and lack of culturally appropriate care often prevent individuals from seeking support (Ward & Brown, 2015). Public health practitioners must use this day to renew efforts to dismantle barriers to care and champion equity- and community-focused strategies.
Juneteenth challenges us to recognize this truth: our health problems are not just personal, they are structural.
It’s a Global Issue, Too
Though Juneteenth is rooted in American history, its message resonates globally. Injustice anywhere sets a precedent everywhere. Across the world, marginalized groups—whether Indigenous populations in Australia, Dalits in India, or immigrants in Europe—experience similar patterns of exclusion and violence. Juneteenth reminds us that freedom without equity is incomplete.
Global health equity cannot exist without an honest reckoning with the past. When we ignore the history that shapes our health and economic outcomes, we allow systems of oppression to persist under new names and structures. The international community should recognize Juneteenth as part of a broader movement to honor truth, pursue justice, and protect human dignity.
What Needs to Happen Now
In the short term, Juneteenth presents an opportunity for reflection, dialogue, and community healing. Schools, workplaces, government agencies, and healthcare institutions must use this day to educate, engage in anti-racism training, and evaluate their own roles in perpetuating or dismantling inequity.
In the long term, honoring Juneteenth must go beyond performative gestures. It requires policy change—investing in Black communities, closing the racial wealth gap, advancing environmental justice, and ensuring equitable access to quality education and culturally appropriate healthcare. Celebrating Juneteenth should ignite a sustained commitment to health equity and social justice.
There Is More Work To Do
Juneteenth is not just a Black holiday—it is a global call to action. The legacy of slavery did not end in 1865. It still shapes our systems, our health, and our opportunities..
If you work in healthcare, education, government, business, or media, this is your fight, too. As someone who has navigated spaces shaped by both Southern legacies and Midwestern realities, use this Juneteenth to ask yourself: What am I doing to make freedom real for everyone?
References
Bailey, Z. D., Krieger, N., Agénor, M., Graves, J., Linos, N., & Bassett, M. T. (2017). Structural racism and health inequities in the USA: evidence and interventions. The Lancet, 389(10077), 1453–1463.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Health disparities by race and ethnicity. https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/race-ethnicity/index.html
Gates, H. L. (2020). The importance of Juneteenth. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/opinion/juneteenth-slavery-freedom.html
Ward, E. C., & Brown, R. L. (2015). African American men and women’s attitude toward mental illness, perceptions of stigma, and preferred coping behaviors. Nursing Research, 64(6), 408–416.
Dr. Frederick Echols, MD, is available as a subject matter expert on public health for press interviews and speaking engagements.
###
About Dr. Fredrick Echols, MD
Dr. Fredrick L. Echols, MD is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Population Health and Social Justice Consulting, LLC, an Obama Foundation Global Leader, sought-after public speaker, black men’s health advocate, and accomplished physician with over 15 years of experience in public health. He has worked extensively with public and private sectors to address complex health issues through evidence-informed approaches. Dr. Echols is a graduate of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Population Health Training in Place program and the ASTHO-Morehouse School of Medicine’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.
Passionate about health and justice, Dr . Echols’ notable roles include serving as Chief Executive Officer for Cure Violence Global, Health Commissioner for the City of St. Louis, and Director of Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness for the St. Louis County Department of Public Health. In these roles, he oversaw public health regulations, led COVID-19 response efforts, managed daily operations, and developed strategic partnerships. Dr. Echols also served as Chief of Communicable Diseases for the Illinois Department of Public Health and as a physician in the U.S. Navy. He continues to contribute to public health research and guides health organizations globally.
For more health tips follow Dr. Fredrick Echols @ Fredrick.Echols@gmail.com
Follow Dr. Echols on socials:
LinkedIn: @FredrickEcholsMD ( www.linkedin.com/in/fredrick-echols-m-d-5a2063225)
Facebook: @FredrickEchols
Instagram: @F.EcholsMD
