Artivists for Health: Diabetes in Color

Artivists for Health: Diabetes in Color is the first-ever art-based health prescription initiative. Diabetes in Color integrates artistic and creative expression into Type 2 disease education, awareness, and management. Launching as a pilot in Washington, D.C. Wards 5, 7, and 8, the program positions artistice engagement—music, movement, visual arts, storytelling—as a formal tool for improving Type 2 diabetes outcomes in DC Ward 5, 7 and 8 communies, particularly African American populations during Diabetes Alert Day, American Heart Month, National Minority Health Month, Women’s Health Month, DMV Made Fest and ending during Diabetes Awareness Month.

Artivists for Health: Diabetes in Color will deliver four creative care sessions and art-based health-driven cultural programming at Whitman-Walker Max Robinson Center and Trinidad and Deanwood Recreation Centers.

Artivists for Health: Diabetes in Color fills this critical gap by offering an art and creative community-led model that educates, heals, and mobilizes. Push the concept of social prescribing further. Instead of standard diabetes prevention workshops, what if doctors prescribed creative wellness activities as part of diabetes management? We would move diabetes conversations away from medical stats, into personal experiences, and create a national movement, amplifying community-driven health narratives.