The Petersburg Healthy Hearts Learning Collaborative is owned and managed by community members. The Virginia Department of Health, as a core partner, provides ongoing support including state and local public health collaboration, chronic disease prevention program training and resources, chronic disease data, leadership and advocacy training, funding opportunities, survey and newsletter design, and webpage maintenance.
Who We Are:
The Petersburg Healthy Hearts Initiative Learning Collaborative is a community-led heart disease and stroke learning collaborative in which over 80% of members represent the priority populations living within target census tracts with the highest rates of hypertension prevalence.
Mission: Our mission is to empower the Petersburg community to confront heart health disparities by fostering a culture of self-care, trust, and integrity.
Vision: We envision a future where the Petersburg community thrives in health and wellness, with residents who are empowered to take charge of their well-being and actively contribute to creating sustainable solutions for themselves and their neighbors.
Our Goals
- Increase blood pressure self-monitoring among African Americans 45+
- Increase number of Heart Healthy Ambassadors among African Americans 18+
- Create opportunities for lifestyle changes through health education, health promotions, programs and events
- Provide access to healthy, clean, affordable, and nutritious foods
- Advocate for solutions to challenges and barriers of social determinants of health
Data
- In Petersburg, there are 7,884 people living in poverty (25.32% of the population, compared to Virginia average of 11%)
- Unemployment: 7.65% in Petersburg (VA average: 4.01%)
- 45.3% of adults have high blood pressure
- CDC information on death rates in Petersburg from 2022 and 2023 reveals the leading cause of death to be heart disease and strokes, representing about 22% of all deaths in the city.
Meet the Team:
Gloria Rose
Zelda Dugger-Tucker
Felicia Fisher
Janice McKeever
Mary Hill
Tiara Russell
Victoria Sanders
Rashid Hines
Kristopher Russell
Current Action Plan Activities:
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Petersburg Healthy Hearts Walking Club at Central Park: A community-led and partner-supported club focused on movement and leisure, made possible by partnerships with the City of Petersburg, Virginia State University (VSU), and their in-kind donations
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Healthy Hearts Hubs at the Five Senior High Rises: A partnership with Oasis Farm, Walnut Hill Pharmacy, and the City of Petersburg, which will provide fresh refrigerators full of fresh produce, immunizations and wellness visits, and transportation between high-rise apartments, as well as enrollment in the Healthy Heart Ambassador (HHA) blood pressure self-monitoring program
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Community Health Workers who are implementing HHA, Moms Under Pressure (a blood pressure self-monitoring program for pregnant and postpartum women), and screening and referrals through Unite Us. Key partners include Bon Secours Southside Medical Center, JenCare Senior Services, and Crater Health District.
- More coming soon!
News and Current Events:
Senior Walking Club Kickoff: Petersburg Group Hosts Senior Walk at Poplar Lawn Park