It hasn’t been a good year for health in my hometown of Richmond.
Richmond is among the top 100 most populous towns in California. And its inhabitants aren’t as healthy as the other 99 in many disease categories, ranging from asthma, heart disease, and diabetes. Recent studies show that 33% of adults in the city are either overweight or obese.
Health also isn’t good among students at Richmond schools. Reports estimate that around 51% of kids are classified as overweight and obese. Of that group, 32% are considered obese.
The lack of organic markets in Richmond is a notable factor. Many Richmond residents don’t have access to proper health care and nutrition. There have been some organizations that have tried to change the health of Richmond for the better. One is Healthy Richmond, also known as Building Health Communities, which promotes urban gardens, healthier school lunches, and fitness programs for the youth and adults.
Health advocates argue that low-income areas tend to have fewer grocery stories and parks, which contribute to higher obesity rates. Many neighborhoods in Richmond are classified as food deserts, which means that they lack fresh produce and healthy food.
Mental health challenges can also be a challenge in dealing with unhealthy behavior. There are community organizations that try to help with that, one of them being the RYSE Youth Center, which provides mental health support and counseling services.
The residents of Richmond face a variety of health problems, from high obesity rates to chronic diseases, and mental health problems. It’s something the city should invest more in for the sake of their people. We can only look toward the future and hope it’s going to be a bright one.
Ivan Zapata Ambriz is a 12th grader at Kennedy High School in Richmond. This commentary originally appeared in the school’s newspaper, the Daily Eagle, and was featured in KQED’s Youth Media Challenge program.