Health and Wellness Recommendations
Unity Council Recommendations
Recommendations
Health and Wellness Recommendations
Concern or Issue
• A combination of factors result in gaps in availability of physical and mental health care for some Arlington residents which disproportionately affects persons of color
• Existing trusted entities including but not limited to Mission Arlington , Open Arms Clinic , private and non profit groups , churches and health organizations currently addressing the needs of disadvantaged residents could maximize services with city support
• Local health care leaders agree that in certain areas of our city , specifically 76010 , 76011 , physical and mental health care disparities may only successfully be addressed by presenting resources directly within the community
• Lack of affordable transportation options inhibit ability to receive care and services
• Information regarding health and wellness is not distributed effectively to many residents in need , especially those in poorer areas
• Lack of healthy food choices and presence of “ food deserts ” prevents opportunities for residents to achieve wellness
• Arlington is consistently ranked low in the healthiest cities identification . Most recently in February 2020 , out of 170 metropolitan areas where four metrics were measured ( healthcare , food , green space , fitness ) our city was 135 . For reference Plano at 40 , Dallas at 92 , and Ft . Worth at 117 all fared better
• There are various factors influencing this designation . Lack of awareness of preventive resources i . e ., parks and recreation activities , hiking and biking trails , community programs provided by organizations such as the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program as well as healthy food choices all contribute to the general state of health of our community
Recommendation
Short term
• Create dedicated city staff position of Chief Equity Officer to implement and monitor strategies targeted to erase disparity in healthcare for residents of Arlington . This position would report directly to the Arlington City Manager and work in collaboration with health care providers
Medium term
• Leverage relationships with trusted providers to enable and support efforts in care delivery . This should include provision and analysis of city data , aid in coordination of services and support with funding and grant application
Long term
• Arlington should support a mobile health care unit by exploring potential funding sources ( within and outside city budgets ), give administrative help and collaborate with local health care providers to consistently provide basic primary care , mental health care and referral
Medium term
• Explore and enact sources to provide free or subsidized rates on VIA for residents in need
Medium term
• Explore and implement alternative means of disseminating information . Consider city sponsored hot spots , a mobile app for health resources , and grass roots methods such as mailers , pamphlets , city resource hotline , neighborhood networks , schools and food banks . Information should be available in languages other than English for non-English speakers
Long term
• Investigate City ordinances and or policies to promote the presence of healthier food choices in areas determined in need or identified as food deserts
Long term
• Create a city-wide awareness initiative involving city leadership as well as citizen leaders and organizations providing not only examples of healthy living practices , but opportunities to achieve them . Utilize city media resources to endorse and promote healthy lifestyles by creating ongoing education and information dissemination
Unity Council Report 130