‘March On!’ Festival Reimagines Public Health in Black America

September 24, 2025

The March On! Festival, the nation's longest-running civil rights film festival, took place in Washington from September 15-21 with the theme "The Right to Be Well," focusing on health equity and wellness. This hybrid event brought together filmmakers, creatives, lawmakers, health leaders, and advocates to address inequities in healthcare, particularly those affecting marginalized communities.

Who is affected

Black Americans and other marginalized communities
African Americans with disproportionate COVID-19 impacts
Black women facing higher rates of maternal mortality, breast and urine cancers
Black men with higher rates of prostate cancer
Black Americans who are nearly twice as likely to suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease

What action is being taken

The March On! Festival is being held in Washington as a hybrid series of panels, workshops, and celebratory events
Health equity trainees and experts are participating in discussions about healthcare inequities
Howard University Hospital is hosting panels on documentaries like "Critical Condition: Health in Black America"
Activists and storytellers are collaborating to challenge historic roots of inequity
Festival participants are demanding accountability for stark disparities in Black health and wellness

Why it matters

Health equity requires recognizing inequities built into the foundation of the healthcare system
Racism in medicine has contributed to poor health outcomes in marginalized communities for centuries
Black Americans face significantly higher rates of several serious health conditions
The festival creates a platform for addressing systemic trends affecting Black health
The combination of activism and storytelling provides tools to drive equitable public health

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer