The Links, Incorporated established the Health and Human Services facet in response to the chronic health disparities that persist in Black communities and result in the decreased life expectancy in African-Americans and others of African descent. The Washington (DC) Chapter’s Health and Human Services facet has developed the following programs to address these health disparities, promote health equity, provide health education, raise awareness of health disparities and focus on improving health outcomes.

Links to Healthy Smiles. The facet implemented this program in 2006 to improve oral health in children and vulnerable adults in the African-American and other communities of color in Washington DC. In partnership with the Howard University College of Dentistry, Howard University Department of Communications, the National Dental Association and the DC Department of Health, The Links, Incorporated to Healthy Smile program has provided: oral health education and oral health supplies to more than 5,000 students; preventative treatment to more than 2,500 students; oral health seminars at N Street Village (facility for homeless women) and Cleveland Elementary School and $12,000 for dental treatment for underserved patients in the evening clinic at Howard University and at the So Others May Eat (SOME) shelter.
National Dental Association Health Now (NDA-Health Now). In 2012, The Links, Foundation awarded a planning grant to the National Dental Association to develop an initiative to improve health outcomes and oral health equity in underserved populations; this initiative was named NDA–Health Now. As part of NDA-Health NOW, in 2019 HHS partnered with the NDA on a pilot program, “Links to Oral Health for Expectant Moms”, to educate pregnant women on the importance of dental care during pregnancy.
Mental Health Integrated Program. Launched in 2016, this program promoted increased knowledge about the challenges of mental health and identified ways of addressing these challenges. Services provided by the Mental Health Integrated Program include the Mental Health (May 2016) and Family Caregiver’s (April 2017) forums, both focused on providing resources for individuals with mental health disorders. The HHS facet also provided education on resilience and managing stress to students at the Howard Middle School and Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, in collaboration with other chapter facets.
Heart Links to Health. This program was created in 2009 to increase the awareness of heart disease in high-risk minority women. Activities have included teaching best practices for heart health to N Street Village clients and participating in the DMV Links Red Dress event. HHS promoted awareness about heart disease and heart health using the HeartLinks toolkit to chapter and community members.
Breast Care for Washington (BCW). Breast Care for Washington is a non-profit in Washington DC focused on access to breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment for the residents of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, regardless of their ability to pay. Recently BCW acquired a mobile van equipped with 3d mammography that will expand their reach of services. HHS has spearheaded local Links fundraising to support the mobile van and works closely with BCW to support their services.

In 2018, Mental Health Again – Red Dress Heart Health by the Washington (DC) Chapter was awarded 2nd Place for Integrated Programing at The Links, Incorporated 41st National Assembly. The HHS facet was awarded the HeartLinks/Heart Truth Tier 2 award from The Links, Foundation in 2016. The Links, Incorporated to Healthy Smiles program has received several awards, including “Best Practice” at the 2010 Links Incorporated National Assembly and 3rd place, National Trends and Services Award at the 2008 Links Incorporated National Assembly; and “Best Practice”, 2009 Links Incorporated Eastern Area Conference and 2nd place, National Trends and Services Award, 2007 Links Incorporated Eastern Area Conference (this facet was originally part of the National Trends and Services facet).