District 1 in Detroit has long been described as eclectic, a hub of small businesses stretching across Grand River, framed by tree-lined streets and historic Tudor-style homes. It is one of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods, but behind the beauty, we must ask: What about the health of District 1 residents?
Shouldn’t our healthcare needs be tailored to the character of our district, not just applied broadly to the entire city? Our residents tend to be older, shouldn’t we have programs that make hospital visits more accessible for them? Shouldn’t we create educational opportunities for our youth to learn about health before they step into adulthood and careers? And as we face an affordability
crisis in housing, shouldn’t we be asking how that stress affects the health of families in our neighborhood?
Detroit’s 7 Strategic Health Issues
The Detroit Health Department has identified seven major strategic issues shaping the future of health in our city:
- Environmental Justice – addressing pollution, air quality, and neighborhood safety.
- Mental & Behavioral Health – breaking stigma and providing accessible, affordable care.
- Housing & Homelessness – tackling instability and affordability.
- Access to Healthcare – ensuring all Detroiters can get care when they need it.
- Maternal & Infant Health – protecting our mothers and babies.
- Access to Healthy Foods – building a city where fresh and affordable food is a right, not a privilege.
- Chronic Conditions – supporting residents facing diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and more.
These seven issues reflect Detroit as a whole. But here in District 1, I’m asking: What does that look like in our neighborhoods, in our own lived experience?
About Me
Hello, I’m Zhariyah Laughlin, your new Community Advisory Board Member for the Detroit Health Department. I am a proud member of the Grandmont Community Association and a 2025 GCA Scholarship Winner. My graduation will be in two semesters from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor with a degree in Public Health.
I stepped into this role because I believe District 1 deserves a stronger voice in shaping Detroit’s health future. We can’t fix what we don’t measure, and that’s where you come in.
The District 1 Health Survey
I’m launching a short survey to gather the health priorities of our community. The goal is simple: to bring your voices directly to public health officials so that the programs designed for Detroit reflect the realities of District 1.
Your input will help us answer questions like:
- Do you feel pollution or housing conditions affect your health?
- What kind of mental health or youth programs would make the most impact here?
- How easy is it for you to find healthy food or access affordable healthcare?
- What chronic conditions are most pressing in your family?
How You Can Participate
Please take a few minutes to fill out the District 1 Health Survey. You can type this URL into your browser: https://forms.gle/j8oNJ9bjEyz6BfJz7
If you run into any issues accessing it, email me directly and I will send you the survey link personally.
Why Your Voice Matters
Every response to this survey will be compiled into a brief, clear report—so the Detroit Health Department not only hears statistics, but feels the stories behind them. Together, we can ensure District 1’s unique needs are visible, valued, and acted upon. District 1 is a place of beauty, resilience, and community pride. Let’s make sure our health reflects that too.
