We promote health by attempting to address the root causes of health disparities, partnering with communities, and working across sectors to build health equity.
The Richmond City Health District (RCHD) provides public health programs and services for City of Richmond residents and the community. Clinical and community-based services in areas of reproductive health and communicable disease control are conducted, as well as various public health programs and initiatives for community wellness, environmental health, food safety, and disaster/emergency preparedness and response.
We work with local government and community partners to advocate for health-conscious policies and infrastructure, and we provide education and information to help Richmonders make healthy choices and lifestyle decisions.
How to be healthier:
Everyone wants to look and feel healthy. Developing healthy habits to improve your diet or just getting off the couch and being more active, are small steps that can make a big impact. RCHD offers and supports a variety of ways for community members of all ages to participate in improving and maintaining their health.
Chronic Disease
Chronic Disease Prevention programs and initiatives are committed to reducing the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and obesity in the City of Richmond. This sector helps promote a healthy community by ensuring that that residents, city workforce, and school-age children have opportunities to develop healthy lifestyle habits.
Chronic Disease Prevention Services implements three focus areas to help accomplish its commitment to a healthier City.
Lead Safe & Healthy Homes Initiative
The Richmond City Health District’s Lead-Safe & Healthy Homes Initiative (LSHHI) addresses childhood lead poisoning which primarily endangers children living in Richmond’s older housing with deteriorating lead-based paint. The Healthy Homes Initiative works with families and community partners to address home-based conditions and factors that impact the health of people where they live. CLICK HERE for more information.
Health Equity
Health Equity is achieved when every person has full and equal access to the opportunity to attain their health potential. RCHD understands that the community we serve is heavily impacted by cultural disparities. Although some aspects of a person’s life depend on choice and behavior, health is also shaped by community-wide factors referred to as “social determinants of health.” These determinants of health are largely impacted by the social environment/culture and conditions in which people are born and raised.
Teen Health
The Richmond City Health District – Adolescent & School Health Program offers school and community based health educational services throughout the City of Richmond. Our health education and promotion services are designed to reduce youth health risk indicators through the promotion of the life-skills that motivate young people and encourages healthy lifestyle choices. Helping Youth to Prevent Pregnancy (HYPP) is a teenage pregnancy prevention program that has been specifically developed for Richmond Youth and parents in an effort to address sexual risk-taking behaviors. We work with Richmond Public Schools, Richmond Community of Caring Initiative, Community in Schools, and community-based youth serving agencies. Call (804) 205-3902 for information.
Clinical Services
Richmond City Health District Clinical Services are located in the Richmond City Health District building at 400 East Cary Street. The front entrance is located on Main Street. Clinical Services are available to the insured, uninsured and underinsured residents as well as the general public.
Resource Centers
The Resource Center model takes a community based and relationship approach to providing neighboring residents with health services and entry into the healthcare system. Resource Centers are located within Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority communities at Fairfield, Whitcomb, Creighton and Mosby and are open to residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. A variety of services include health screenings, checkups, health education, nutrition, parenting classes, budget management, and community resource information.