Last month, Virginia’s 2024 County Health Rankings revealed Petersburg to be the lowest-ranked city in Virginia for life expectancy for the seventh year in a row.
The city's life expectancy is just under 65 years. That’s over 13 years below the state average.
Petersburg's high rate of preventable hospitalizations for typically treatable diseases like diabetes — a leading cause of death in the city — points to inadequate access to consistent, affordable healthcare for the city’s residents, including early screening and prevention measures for cancer, heart disease, diabetes and Petersburg's other leading causes of death.
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It also points to inadequate access to the things that help people live longer, such as consistent movement and affordable, healthy food.
“Something as simple as having sidewalks can play a part in reducing obesity which leads to heart diseases, as well as the accessibility of grocery stores with healthy food options," said Dr. Derek A. Chapman, Interim Director of the Center on Society and Health at Virginia Commonwealth University. "In many neighborhoods with lower incomes there tends to be an abundance of fast-food restaurants and liquor stores and corner stores that sell junk food but very few fresh vegetables and full-service grocery stores.”
The key to raising the life expectancy? Increasing consistent, affordable access to healthcare and healthy-living resources for Petersburg's community members.
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Prevention, early detection and healthy living resources in Petersburg
Worried about your health, but more worried about the cost of healthy living? Petersburg has some free resources in place to help community members access some of their healthcare needs as well as affordable, healthy foods.
You can check some of these out below:
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Affordable healthy food resources in Petersburg: The Petersburg library market, River Street Market and Virginia SUN Bucks
The Petersburg Public Library has its very own market , where you can buy fresh food and produce. It's open every Monday-Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. on the main floor of the library. Not only are SNAP and EBT accepted at the market (in addition to cash and credit), but all fruits and vegetables are half off with SNAP.
The library market is run by Petersburg non-profit organization River Street Market, also known as River Street Education . The non-profit aims to enhance the overall wellbeing of Petersburg's residents by providing affordable healthy food options through a year-round farmers market in Petersburg that supports local farmers, as well as hosting free educational events and initiatives for community members of all ages.
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The farmers market occurs weekly from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays at 30 River Street. All SNAP dollars are doubled at River Street Market with Virginia Fresh Match . Visit the market (or their website ) for more information and to get your SNAP tokens for all eligible foods plus tokens for free fruits and vegetables.
One of River Street Market's community initiatives includes the Pop Club, a weekly Saturday program where every child at the farmers market is able to participate in an educational program through which they can learn more about the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables and are given $10 each to buy fresh produce.
Meanwhile, with Virginia Sun Bucks , families can boost their grocery budget with $120 per eligible school-aged child during the summer. From fresh fruits and vegetables to pantry favorites, SUN Bucks supports nutritious and healthy meals at home. Stock up on more information and check your eligibility here .
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Free recurring hypertension screenings at the Petersburg Public Library
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading cause of heart disease and strokes, the top cause of premature deaths in Petersburg. It's also known as the silent killer, not only because hypertension can lead to heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms and more, but also because people with high blood pressure often don't show any symptoms until it's too late.
The simples way to prevent an early death from hypertension? Getting your blood pressure checked regularly, which you can do for free every Tuesday at the Petersburg Public Library.
Tara James, a community health worker offering free blood pressure screenings with Central Virginia Health Services, is at the Petersburg Public Library from 1 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday. You don't need to be a Petersburg resident or have a library card to get tested. It takes a handful of minutes, and you'll receive a document afterward with your blood pressure readings in case you want to take them to a doctor. If you have a library card, you can also "check out" a blood pressure monitor for free like you might check out a book, so you can test yourself or loved ones in the comfort of your own home.
"There's a high rate of medical issues in this area due to people having uncontrolled high blood pressure," said James. "So it's good to have programs like this because these services are free and easily accessible — especially because elevated blood pressure over an extended period of time can lead to so many other health issues that can be prevented if you get your blood pressure checked and under control ahead of time."
Free on-site screening, care-coordination services and more offered by VCU
VCU offers free healthcare services in Petersburg every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Virginia Community Resource Center located at 22 West Washington Street. Adults over 18 with or without health insurance are welcome. These services include:
On-Site screening:
- Blood pressure checks
- Blood sugar checks
- Hypertension and diabetes medical information
- Mental Health Screening
Care coordination:
- Health and wellness goals
- Connecting to primary care
- Transportation and housing info
- Nutrition and healthy eating
- Smoking cessation
Also offering:
- Help with advance care planning
- Free glasses vouchers
Questions? Call 804-389-0521
Free breast and cervical cancer screenings for uninsured VA residents
Every Woman's Life (EWL) is a public health program that helps uninsured, low income Virginia residents gain access to free breast and cervical cancer screening services. Screening and early detection reduces death rates, improves treatment options, and greatly increases chances of survival.
To be eligible, you must be a Virginia resident between the ages of 18-64, meet federal income guidelines and be uninsured. If you’re between 18-39, you must be symptomatic or be determined to be high risk for breast and/or cervical cancer to be eligible. Services provided by the program include a clinical breast exam, mammogram, pelvic exam, Pap test, and any diagnostics needed to reach a final diagnosis. If a woman enrolled in EWL is diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer she may be eligible for Medicaid to pay for treatment.
Find a screening program near you here .
Free healthcare services through the Sentara Mobile Care Van
The Sentara Mobile Care Van also offers free healthcare services to Petersburg’s community members from 2 to 5 p.m. every Thursday in the parking lot of the Petersburg Public Library at 201 W. Washington Street and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hope Center at 827 Commerce Street.
The Sentara Mobile Care Van accepts Medicaid and uninsured community members. Walk-ups are welcome, but you can also set up an appointment by calling 804-613-3940.
The services offered include:
- Medical care
- Behavioral health
- Health education
- Social assistance
- Financial support
Learn more about Sentra Mobile Care here .
Free healthcare education and connections with local resources
A partnership between the Massey Cancer Center of Virginia Commonwealth University, the Crater Health District of the Virginia Department of Health, and the Petersburg Public Library, the Healthy Living and Learning Center is another free healthcare education resource that aims to provide access to accurate and reliable health information to residents of Petersburg and the surrounding areas. It is located in the Market at the Petersburg Public Library.
Services offered:
- Directions on how to take medicines correctly
- Help understanding diseases like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer
- Help with monitoring blood pressure or weight
- Tips on getting and staying healthy
- One-on-one sessions with trained staff during posted operating hours
- Access to a CHIS trained library staff member from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday through Friday) and Center resources during all library hours
- Health related reference books, on-site DVDs, streaming videos, reliable websites, and brochures (many available in both English and Spanish)
- Connections with local resources such as free health classes, screenings, support groups, and health insurance enrollment
- Free blood pressure checks available upon request from 9 am-5 pm Monday through Friday
- Free condoms provided by Serenity Inc.
- Health related activities and exercise classes (Yoga, Sit and Be Fit, Caldwell’s Chair Dance, Fit It In, and Tai Chi)
- Outreach through its Mobile Express
Questions? Contact 804-451-6077, healthy@ppls.org , or rnoriega@ppls.org .
Free services for pregnant people and new parents
Hopewell and Prince George County Healthy Families regularly hosts Meet and Greet Mondays with a family support specialist, community outreach specialist, nurse and doula from 2 to 4 p.m. every Monday at 224 North Main Street, Suite 310.
Services offered:
- Prenatal care, guidance and support
- Community resources and wrap around services
- Skills targeting growth and development
- One free can of formula, wipes or a pack of diapers
Questions? Call 804-738-1662
Drug overdose prevention: Free Fentanyl and Xylazine Test Strips
Protect yourself and others from harm. Free Fentanyl and Xylazine tests strips are offered every Thursday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Petersburg Health Department located at 301 Halifax Street.
Walk-ups are welcome. No photo ID is required. Call 804-609-5816 to register.
COVID-19 and emergency food assistance
The Crater Health District Care Resource Coordination program offers free support and resources to people who have been impacted by COVID-19.
The assistance provided includes:
- Food assistance
- Healthcare assistance
- Mental health assistance
- Utilities assistance
- Unemployment assistance
- Housing/shelter assistance
Call 804-382-2667 or email melissa.diggs@vdh.virginia.gov for more information.
The Crater Health District also offers additional resources outside of this program, including free at-home COVID-19 test kits and emergency food boxes at their health departments. The Petersburg location is open every Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at 301 Halifax Street. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are accepted based on availability.
Organizations can request test kits to distribute themselves and or request Crater Health District’s participation in their events. Call the number below to make a request. You will receive a response within one to two business days.
Call 804-347-2782 for appointments and additional information.
Men’s Sexual Health Clinic
The Petersburg Health Department offers free sexual health screenings for men from 5 to 7 p.m. every second and fourth Monday at 301 Halifax Street. Call 804-863-1652 for appointments. Appointments are prioritized but walk-ins will be accepted based on availability.
Free recurring fitness classes at the Petersburg Public Library
Regular physical activity can be a great way to help prevent and mitigate some of Petersburg's leading causes of premature death, including heart disease, strokes and diabetes. However, this can be difficult in predominantly car-friendly urban landscapes that are not always accessible to pedestrians. Fitness classes, meanwhile, are often pricey and unaffordable to many.
The Petersburg Public Library offers free recurring health and wellness classes for community members of all ages and abilities in the Wellness Activity Center on the second floor of the library. This includes free yoga classes from 4 to 4:45 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, a free toning fitness class at 6 p.m. every Wednesday and a fee chair fitness class at noon every Thursday, which is especially accessible for community members with mobility issues or knee trouble.
Movement for kids and the whole family
Want to get the whole family moving together? Children can check out a free Adventure Pack at the Petersburg Public Library with their library card. These packs include a free parking pass to any of the 41 state parks in Virginia. Learn more here .
More healthy living resources
Check out Petersburg Healthy Options Partnerships for regularly updated free health-related resources in Petersburg.
You can also find free or affordable health-related resources near you through the free service 2-1-1 Virginia .
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: How can Petersburg residents improve their health? Here are some resources that can help
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