Nurses Rock DMV Chapter conduct health screenings for the Ward 8 community during their Back-to-School Wellness Expo at the Washington View apartments in southeast D.C. (Courtesy of American Diabetes Association)
Nurses Rock DMV Chapter conduct health screenings for the Ward 8 community during their Back-to-School Wellness Expo at the Washington View apartments in southeast D.C. (Courtesy of American Diabetes Association)

The Collaboration for Equitable Health, in alliance with the Black Nurses Rock DMV Chapter, hosted the Back-to-School Wellness Expo in Southeast D.C. to provide health-related resources to prepare Ward 8 residents for an official return to classrooms across the District.

Held at the Washington View apartments, the community event offered residents education on nutrition and physical activity, comprehensive health screenings, referrals for continued care, and immunizations.  In addition, attendees had free access to haircuts from local barbers, henna tattoos, face painting, free food, giveaways, and more.

“We are grateful to the Washington View community and staff for helping us put on Saturday’s Back-to-School Expo, bringing essential health resources to residents,” said Raisa Johnson, managing director of Resident Services at National Housing Trust, another partnering organization for the expo.  “Our goal is to ensure every child starts the school year healthy and prepared, and we’re thankful to all the partners and volunteers who made this possible.” 

The Collaboration for Equitable Health, launched in 2022, is a four-year partnership between leading health organizations including the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and the University of Michigan School of Public Health.  The collective, supported by Bank of America,  is working in tandem with Black Nurses Rock DMV Chapter to address chronic diseases in D.C. by bringing equitable resources to East of the River residents. 

While the expo served as an excellent resource to connect with residents in need, the event was only a segment of a 12-month program, led by Black Nurses Rock DMV, designed to connect nurses of color with underserved community members in Ward 8.

Health Disparities East of the River

When examining health inequities in D.C., Wards 7 and 8 represent some of the greatest disparities related to chronic illnesses throughout the city.  

For instance, although DC Health’s District of Columbia Cancer Control Plan 2022-2026 reports “cancer is the second leading cause of death in the District of Columbia and significantly impacts the social and economic well-being of the community,” Ward 8 residents are particularly feeling the sting.

From 2014-2018, Ward 8 reported the highest cancer incidence rate in D.C. at 453 cases per 100,000, with the lowest incidence recorded in Ward 3, where 379 new cases were diagnosed per 100,000 individuals during the same period, according to DC Vital Records 2022.

Further, cancer mortality rates also ranked highest in Ward 8 and lowest in Ward 3 between the same 2014-2018 period.

In addition, while challenges surrounding obesity continue to affect the African American community, District residents east of the Anacostia River are particularly battling with issues of being overweight.  In Washington, D.C., the highest obesity prevalence of residents living with obesity is 34% residing in ZIP codes 20019, 20020, and 20032 in comparison to 23.9% throughout the rest of the District.  

Obesity is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes, the most common and expensive chronic condition in the country.  According to the American Diabetes Association’s The Burden of Diabetes in District of Columbia (DC) report:“Approximately 42,900 adults in D.C., or 7.8% of the adult population, have diagnosed diabetes.  Every year, an estimated 3,300 adults in D.C. are diagnosed with diabetes.”

The statistics are even more alarming in neighborhoods East of the Anacostia River (Wards 7 and 8), as records from 2019 suggested that 13.4 % of Ward 7 residents, and 19.7 % of Ward 8 residents have diabetes, being the highest rates citywide. 

Ward 8 residents also are fighting further health inequities such as lack of mental health services and access to health care centers as well as food deserts.

Roughly 90% of residents in much of Wards 7 and 8 have low access to full-service supermarkets providing fresh and organic food choices (compared to 17% nationwide), which  

The innovative network of health leaders aims to change these troubling health outcomes in the city’s most underserved neighborhoods.

“Achieving health equity starts with trust, and that trust isn’t built overnight.  Black Nurses Rock is committed to prevention, health education, and long-term wellness.  We took one step closer to that today and are grateful to the ADA for their support,” said Perina Gains, the president and CEO of Black Nurses Rock DMV Chapter.

The health expo event is one of several community initiatives coming down the pike that will assist in serving District families with the education, tools, and support that they need to maintain a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

“This weekend’s back-to-school expo is yet another example of the power of community in addressing health inequities.  We were thrilled to support Black Nurses Rock and will continue to meet people where they live as we work towards a healthier Ward 8,” Malaika Hill, ADA director of Health Equity and Community Impact, said in a statement.

Lindiwe Vilakazi is a Report for America corps member who reports on health news for The Washington Informer, a multimedia news organization serving African Americans in the metro Washington, D.C., area....

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