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REACH Your Best Health in Westland, MI
Westland (48186)
Through the REACH project, the NKFM partners with community organizations and stakeholders to improve policies, systems, and environmental conditions that impact health, particularly among African Americans and Latinx populations, who experience disproportionate risk of chronic diseases and socioeconomic disparities. The strategies the NKFM is focusing on to bring impact to these communities are Nutrition, Physical Activity, Breastfeeding, and Community Clinical Linkages.
In October 2019, the NKFM collected data about the three communities and where they are at with the focused strategies. Below is a comprehensive snapshot about Westland, Michigan.
Westland has a population of 36,506 people, with 18.2% African American and 3.5% Hispanic American. More than 18% of individuals living in Westland live below poverty.
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Total Population
36,506
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Total % Diabetes
10.50
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Total % Obesity
38.08
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# of African Americans
5,877
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Total % Diabetes
16.07
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Total % Obesity
49.68
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# of Hispanics
1,486
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Total % Diabetes
13.88
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Total % Obesity
40.71
There are several key players that are involved in Westland: Healthy Westland, City of Westland, Wayne-Westland Community School District, Friends of the Rouge, HOPE Clinic, and Wayne County Health Department

Nutrition:
During summer months, there is a farmers market every week, but more information needs to be shared if it accepts vouchers like Double Up Food Bucks, WIC, etc. There are two community gardens in Westland and many grocery stores and fruit markets available.

Physical Activity:
There are many parks, including a popular splash pad in Westland. Many other recreational areas including Mike Modano Ice Arena (ice skating, hockey), Jefferson Barns Community Center (boxing, baseball, basketball), Westland Municipal Golf (golf), Skateland West (roller skating, roller blading), Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church (aerobics), Friendship Senior Center (aerobics), and after school exercise programs held at the schools. Each fall, there is an annual Fall Fitness Festival.

Breastfeeding:
Westland residents trust medical professionals and older generations for breastfeeding information, but more can be done to inform the public of breastfeeding supports and education.

Community Clinical Linkages:
HOPE Clinic patient advocates refer patients out to appropriate medical services (such as behavioral health, oral health, pharmacy, specialists). But, HOPE Clinic does not have formal partnerships with community partners. HOPE Clinic has limited resources and a lack of capacity, which makes formal relationships, referrals and a robust EMR system difficult.