Health and Human Services
The Northern Indiana Chapter of The Links, Incorporated’s Health & Human Services Facet’s embraces the Food is Medicine model to advance health equity and improve wellness outcomes across the communities we serve. We recognize that access to nutritious, culturally relevant foods is essential to preventing and managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease—conditions that disproportionately affect Black and historically underserved families in our region.
Through partnerships with local health systems, community organizations, and faith-based institutions, we integrate nutrition education, food access, and preventive health services to reduce disparities and strengthen community well-being. Our Food is Medicine efforts not only deepen understanding of the connection between diet and disease, but also empower individuals to make informed choices, support healthier families, and build more resilient neighborhoods throughout Northern Indiana.
By centering nutrition as a pathway to wellness, the Northern Indiana Chapter helps drive long-term community impact—supporting healthier lives, reducing preventable illness, and contributing to a future where every family has the resources to thrive.
Cancer Awareness - Breast, Colorectal and Prostate
Our initiatives emphasize the importance of routine screenings, timely follow-up care, and lifestyle choices that support prevention and improved outcomes. By organizing health fairs, panel discussions, and collaborative programs with local healthcare partners, we work to equip community members with trusted information, connect them to screening resources, and encourage proactive conversations with healthcare providers.
Through awareness, advocacy, and direct community engagement, we aim to reduce disparities in cancer outcomes and ensure that every individual has the knowledge and support needed to prioritize their health and pursue early detection—because awareness saves lives..
Chronic Kidney Disease
Through thoughtfully organized health fairs, food giveaways, panel discussions, and direct community support, we address CKD and related health issues impacting children, families, and older adults. Our efforts empower community members with knowledge, access, and resources that promote healthier living, encourage proactive screening, and connect individuals with trusted healthcare partners who can support long-term kidney health..
Children’s Oral Health
The Health & Human Services Facet for several years has aligned itself with the national organization’s Colgate Bright Smiles Initiative. The Bright Smiles initiative has provided opportunity for hundreds of students to receive free dental education and screenings prior to the beginning of the school year.
*At the 2019 Central Area Conference, the Northern Indiana (IN) chapter won a Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Future Award for Most Children Screened.
Heart Health
Recognizing that heart disease is the leading cause of death among African American women, the Health & Human Services Facet distributes heart health resources to organizations throughout the community. In addition, several members of the Northern Indiana Chapter of The Links, Incorporated have provided educational programming within their church congregations, supported Red Dress Day activities, and promoted heart health awareness through social media campaigns.
To further support early detection and empower individuals with life-saving skills, the Facet has coordinated free blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar screenings, along with CPR training for community members—helping to increase access to preventive care and strengthen community readiness in responding to cardiovascular emergencies. These efforts are supported through local partnerships with Methodist Hospitals, Community HealthNet Health Centers, Edgewater Health, and the Powers Health healthcare system, ensuring that community members receive trusted, high-quality resources and connections to ongoing care.
Mental Health
In alignment with The Links, Incorporated National Mental Health Initiative, the Health & Human Services Facet seeks to promote positive mental health and increase awareness while reducing the stigma associated with mental illness in our communities. We work to enhance mental health literacy among students, educators, and parents—equipping them with knowledge, tools, and supportive resources that foster resilience, emotional well-being, and early intervention.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) & The Black Community.
The Northern Indiana (IN) Chapter has been a proud recipient of a Black K.A.R.E. Project grant from Vantive Health since 2020
Our goal is to mobilize and raise awareness in the black community about CKD and its risk factors, complications and treatment to reduce the risk of kidney failure and/or improve outcomes for people living with CKD.
Stay tuned for various programming throughout 2026.
Mask Up!
Check out our “Keep it 100” public service announcement that was created as part of the Health and Human Services Facet's Covid Care Initiative. The HHS Facet committee has partnered with multiple schools to provide this service announcement during virtual and in-person classes. #WashYourHands #Sanitize #MaskUP
Thanks to our partnership with Edgewater Health System, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Calumet Township Trustee Kimberly Robinson, Colgate-Palmolive Company, and Haywood & Fleming Associates, COVID Care Kits were developed and distributed to the entire student body at Calumet New Tech High School and Thea Bowman Leadership Academy.
