Written by Carolina Sanchez, undergraduate student in neuroscience, Haverford College; RADIANCE Scholar in the Institute for Public Health Summer Research Program – RADIANCE Track
Growing up in St. Louis, I learned about the Delmar Divide in elementary school. Back then, Delmar was simply where my friends and I went for boba tea or karaoke on the Loop. I had no idea that this street represented so much more than just a cultural line. I never imagined it could signify a 15-year difference in life expectancy depending on which side you live.
This summer, while participating in the RADIANCE Track of the Institute for Public Health Summer Research Program, I attended a lecture by Angela L. Brown, MD, Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. She spoke about health disparities in St. Louis and highlighted the Delmar Divide as a powerful example of how systemic inequality manifests in public health.
I learned in school that neighborhoods north of Delmar Boulevard are predominantly Black and lower income, while those to the south are predominantly white and more affluent. But Dr. Brown explained how these divisions are the lasting result of Jim Crow laws and redlining, shaping the social determinants of health in our city to this day. She showed how something as foundational as your zip code can influence your access to quality food, health care, education, and ultimately—your life expectancy.
Her words resonated with me on a personal level. Last summer, while interning at Missouri Appleseed, I helped host an event at Delmar DivINe. At the time, I knew it was a collaborative hub for nonprofits and community organizations. But it wasn’t until Dr. Brown’s lecture that I understood the deeper symbolism of placing such an initiative directly on the Delmar Divide—a physical and social boundary that organizations like Delmar DivINe are working to bridge.
This experience reminded me that making systemic change requires both data and lived experience. Health equity isn’t just an abstract issue; it directly impacts people I grew up with and went to school with. Understanding the historical and structural roots of health disparities helps us see why efforts like Delmar DivINe are so important. As I continue in my academic and professional journey, I’m committed to approaching public health with that same dual lens: grounded in research and driven by community.
