In District 7 — where the vibrancy of Roxbury, Dorchester, the South End, and Fenway weaves together rich cultures and histories — health is the foundation for opportunity.
But for too many of our neighbors, healthcare and mental health resources remain out of reach.
Too many families are forced to choose between paying rent and getting medical treatment. Too many young people struggle with untreated trauma. Too many seniors live with chronic illnesses that could have been managed or prevented with proper care.
Health is not a privilege. It is a human right. And in District 7, we must fight to make that right a reality for every resident — regardless of income, background, or immigration status.
The Bigger Picture: Federal and State Policy Changes
Recent federal shifts — including efforts to roll back Medicaid expansions, dismantle DEI initiatives in healthcare training, and cut funding for urban mental health programs — threaten to widen existing health disparities.
At the state level, Massachusetts continues to lead in many healthcare reforms, but inequities persist. In our communities, historical underinvestment, systemic racism in healthcare, and gentrification-fueled displacement have made access even harder for those who need it most.
Without targeted, neighborhood-driven action, District 7’s health outcomes will continue to lag behind wealthier parts of Boston.
The Health Crisis in District 7: The Numbers Tell the Story
Life expectancy is lower in Roxbury and Dorchester compared to Back Bay or Beacon Hill.
Infant mortality rates are disproportionately higher among Black and Latino families.
Chronic illnesses like diabetes, asthma, and hypertension are more prevalent here than in many other Boston neighborhoods.
Mental health care deserts leave residents waiting months for therapy or psychiatric services — if they can find help at all.
These aren’t just statistics — they are urgent alarms demanding immediate action.
District 7 Must Do
District 7 must chart its own bold course toward health equity, ensuring that every resident has the support they need to live a full, healthy life. Here’s how:
1. Expand Community Health Centers and Mobile Clinics
Increase funding and resources for trusted institutions like Whittier Street Health Center and Boston Medical Center’s outreach programs.
Launch mobile health units to bring preventive care, screenings, and vaccinations directly into neighborhoods.
2. Strengthen Mental Health Access
Establish a District 7 Mental Health Network of therapists, counselors, and peer support groups embedded in schools, churches, and community centers.
Prioritize trauma-informed care for youth, especially in areas affected by violence, eviction, and systemic poverty.
3. Address Environmental Health Hazards
Launch targeted campaigns to combat asthma by improving air quality, regulating polluters, and investing in green spaces.
Push for clean water initiatives in aging housing developments.
4. Prioritize Maternal and Infant Health
Create programs that provide doulas, midwives, and culturally competent prenatal care for expectant mothers in District 7.
Expand parenting support services and postnatal care for families.
5. Promote Food Security and Nutrition
Increase access to fresh, affordable produce through farmers markets, community gardens, and grocery store partnerships.
Launch healthy cooking and nutrition education programs rooted in the diverse cultural traditions of District 7 families.
How Your City Councilor Will Lead
If elected as your City Councilor, I will treat healthcare access and community well-being as non-negotiable pillars of my leadership.
I will:
Fight for increased city budget allocations for health centers, mental health services, and public health outreach programs in District 7.
Introduce legislation mandating that new developments include community wellness infrastructure (e.g., clinics, green spaces, mental health resources).
Champion mobile healthcare expansions, ensuring we meet residents where they are — in every block, building, and home.
Hold public health agencies accountable for disparities by demanding regular reporting on health outcomes by neighborhood and demographic.
Host quarterly Community Health Summits, bringing together residents, doctors, nonprofits, and advocates to create collaborative, resident-driven health plans.
A Healthy District 7 is a Thriving District 7
| Focus Area | Key Actions |
|---|---|
| Community Clinics & Mobile Care | Expand neighborhood clinics and deploy mobile units |
| Mental Health Access | Create a District 7 Mental Health Network |
| Environmental Justice | Clean air, clean water, green spaces |
| Maternal/Infant Health | Support culturally competent prenatal and postnatal care |
| Food Access | Boost farmers markets, gardens, and nutrition education |
Beyond the Doctor’s Office: What Community Well-Being Really Means
Health isn’t just about hospitals and prescriptions. True community well-being means:
Safe parks where children can play without fear.
Clean sidewalks and streets that encourage walking and exercise.
Schools with full-time counselors and nurses.
Affordable, accessible public transportation that connects residents to healthcare.
Culturally respectful care that recognizes the full humanity of every patient.
In District 7, healing means building a healthier environment — physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially.
Stakes Are High
If we do not act now, we will continue to see:
Higher rates of preventable deaths.
Deeper mental health crises, especially among our youth.
Growing gaps between rich and poor neighborhoods in life expectancy, disease rates, and quality of life.
But if we rise to this challenge, we can build the healthiest, strongest, most resilient District 7 yet.
Our Health, Our Power, Our Future
In a just city, no resident is forced to suffer or die because of their zip code, their income, or their skin color.
In a just city, healthcare is as fundamental as clean air and safe streets.
District 7 deserves that justice.
Donate to this campaign and vote for me. Together, we will fight for it.
We will build it and invest in it — block by block, clinic by clinic, life by life.
Because when our community is healthy, our future is unstoppable.