Blog
Whittier Street Health Center’s blog on health and wellness in the community.
National Nutrition Month: Feeding the Body and Soul
National Nutrition Month: Feeding the Body and Soul National Nutrition Month, observed each March, is more than a celebration of healthy eating – it’s a call to action to expand access to healthy food and improve nutrition in underserved communities. Poor nutrition can lead to a wide range of diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, […]
MoreColorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Saving Lives Through Early Screening
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Saving Lives Through Early Screening Observed every March, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month stresses the importance of prevention and early detection of a disease that disproportionately affects Black and Latino communities. Identified by the American Cancer Society as the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United […]
MoreNational Kidney Month: Confronting a Silent Epidemic Through Awareness and Prevention
March is designated as National Kidney Month, a time to raise awareness of kidney disease, encourage screening, and promote prevention of what has been referred to as “a silent epidemic.” Kidneys act as a body’s filter, removing waste from blood, balancing fluids and electrolytes, regulating blood pressure, and supporting red blood cell production. When kidney […]
MoreWomen’s History Month: Celebrating Power, Progress and Purpose
“Women are the backbone of our societies. When they rise, nations rise with them.” Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopia’s first woman head of state, serving as the country’s president from October 2018 to October 2024 Women’s History Month, celebrated every March, honors the contributions, achievements, and leadership of women throughout our nation’s history. Beginning as a week-long […]
MoreNational Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Bringing Focus to Equity and Prevention
Dedicated to shining a light on how HIV/AIDS affects women and girls, National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – observed each March 10 – promotes prevention, encourages testing, and empowers communities to support those affected. The day serves as a reminder of the ongoing inequities women and girls face, calling for education, advocacy, and […]
MoreCancer Prevention and Awareness Month
Every February, we observe National Cancer Prevention Month to raise awareness about the social and environmental factors that impact cancer risk and to empower patients with information and resources that support prevention, early detection, and intervention. In 2025, there were approximately 2 million new cancer cases and about 618,000 cancer deaths, averaging nearly 5,600 new […]
MoreNational Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
February 7 marks National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, observed annually to raise awareness about the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black communities and to spotlight the need for equitable, culturally responsive prevention, testing, and treatment services. HIV/AIDS has disproportionately impacted Black communities since the start of the epidemic in the early 1980s¹, and that disparity […]
MoreBlack History Month – Annual Meeting
Black History Month, celebrated every February, is a time to honor and amplify the history and contributions of Black Americans in shaping every facet of society. This year’s observance carries special significance: 2026 marks the centennial anniversary of Black History Month celebrations in the United States, first founded by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926 […]
MoreRacism and Racial Inequality in Health Care
Despite strides toward closing the racial life expectancy gap in Boston1, racism and racial inequality continue to impact health outcomes, access to services, and treatment quality for communities of color. The 2024 Health of Boston Access to Care Report shows that Black, Latinx, and migrant residents face significant barriers to health insurance coverage and affordability, […]
MoreCervical Health Awareness Month
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer found in women globally, with about 13,000 new cases diagnosed every year in the United States1. While these numbers are concerning, cervical cancer is also one of the most preventable and treatable cancers when detected early. Over the past three decades, the American Cancer Society has documented […]
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