Philadelphia Activist Expands Local Healthcare Access
Jazmin Evans leverages personal experience to provide community medical services through the We Got Us initiative.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in African-American
Live Poll
Should patients have formal decision-making authority over the design and use of clinical medical algorithms?
In 2025, Philadelphia activist Jazmin Evans launched the We Got Us initiative, a community program providing free and low-cost healthcare services. The project focuses on removing barriers to care like insurance costs and physician shortages through local wellness pop-ups.
Why it matters
The initiative seeks to address persistent systemic healthcare disparities while providing immediate medical access to local residents. By pairing screenings with social activities, the program aims to increase engagement among populations historically underserved by the traditional medical system.
The We Got Us initiative has provided health services to 1,800 Philadelphians through pop-up wellness events. These events incorporate screenings for mammograms, HPV, prostate health, and STIs.
The players
Jazmin Evans
She is an activist and scholar who completed a PhD in African American studies at Temple University.
We Got Us
This Philadelphia-based initiative provides free and low-cost healthcare services through community-focused wellness events.
Bebashi
This organization partnered with the We Got Us initiative to offer STI screenings at community events.
The details
Jazmin Evans, who earned a PhD in African American studies at Temple University, designs programming based on community feedback. The initiative often partners with local organizations like Bebashi to integrate medical screenings into social events such as yoga sessions, run clubs, and singles mixers.
Timeline
2015: Evans would have joined the transplant list.
2019: Evans began dialysis during the same year Hahnemann University Hospital closed.
2023: Evans successfully received her kidney transplant.
2025: Evans launched the We Got Us series.
Culture Shift
This effort follows the national movement to reform the eGFR kidney function calculation, which previously penalized patients based on race. By addressing these disparities, the work reflects a broader societal push to dismantle systemic biases within medical diagnostic algorithms.
Philadelphians can access free or low-cost medical screenings, including mammograms and prostate tests, by attending local wellness pop-ups. These events remove common barriers such as the cost of insurance and the difficulty of finding local physicians.
The takeaway
Patients can improve their health outcomes by engaging with community-led programs that integrate medical care into existing social routines. These initiatives demonstrate that community-based models can effectively bridge gaps in access for residents navigating systemic barriers.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest community developments in Philadelphia African-American.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Spotlight PA.
Live Poll
Should patients have formal decision-making authority over the design and use of clinical medical algorithms?
