Our priority issues include:
- Blood pressure control/heart disease and stroke prevention
- Transportation
- Safe housing
- Mental health
- Food access
- Nutrition education
- Joy and leisure
Roanoke Healthy Hearts Initiative membership: 12 members (8 representing the priority census tracts)
Words from our members:
“The VDH Healthy Heart Initiative is "thee oasis" in a Northwest desert! Providing and arming active community members with autonomy, solution-oriented resources, and funding to address a list of unmet needs in the NW community.
For years, residents of central NW have had to learn how to navigate outside of our community due to the lack of access to grocery stores, health clinics, an operable pharmacy and other basic necessities. Now with the help of VDH and its “community centered and led” initiative, needs will finally be met, residents will be empowered, and urgent work will begin.” -Ms. Marion Ware
“Part of our resilience is our ability to think for the greater good and work together” -Ms. Amazetta Anderson
“This is the time of us.” -Anonymous
“We are rooted in integrity.” -Ms. Brenda Petty
“This group brings me happiness and gives me people to talk to when I feel depressed. We’ve created life bonds that can’t be broken. Before the group I was shy and nervous, but now I’ve opened up and made so many new friends. I aspire to make the most of the LC and its opportunities. Being a part of it gets me out and I look forward to every meeting with enthusiasm and appreciation!” - Pamela DeHaven
News:
Read about the Roanoke LC in the Roanoke City Health Department's newsletter below!
Other Local News:
- In Segregated Roanoke, Black and White Churchgoers Gather To Study the Bible — and Find Ways To Improve the City
- Roanoke Grows Hotter-
Poor and Black Neighborhoods Face the Most Danger Study Shows
Data:
Visit VDH’s Data Dashboard as well as the dashboard for Social Determinants of Health and Chronic Disease.
In Roanoke City, there are 21,886 people living in poverty (22.3%, compared to VA average: 11%)
Unemployment: 4.26% in Roanoke City (VA average: 4.01%)
Hypertension rates: 41.34% in Roanoke City (VA average: 34.38%)
Stroke: 4.59% in Roanoke City (VA average: 3.44%)
Heart Disease: 5.36% in Roanoke City (VA average: 3.46%)
Current Partners Vetted by Healthy Hearts members:
- LEAP (Local Environmental Agriculture Project)
- One Valley, Inc.
- 727 Kombat Fitness Hub
- Carilion Clinic
- Roanoke - Alleghany County Health Department
- Roanoke City Neighborhood Services
- The Hill Church
- Annwil Grocery
- McCray Court Senior Living Center
- New Horizons Healthcare
- Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority
- The Hope Center
Roanoke Priority Census Tracts:
Learn More (see map at bottom of page)
