Mental Health, Drug Use Among Alexandrians' Top Health Concerns: Survey

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandrians identified mental health as their top health concern, followed by alcohol, drug and opiate use, according to the community health survey results released by the Alexandria Health Department.

Over 2,000 people took the survey during fall 2024 to share Alexandria's most pressing health issues, strengths and areas of improvement. About three-quarters of responses came from people living in City of Alexandria ZIP codes, but the health department noted that respondent ZIP codes, race/ethnicity, preferred language, household income, and ages mirrored the city's population.

According to the results, 47 percent of respondents ranked as the biggest health issue. Another 30 percent said alcohol, drug and opiate use was a top concern, 26 percent pointed to obesity, physical activity and nutrition and 25 percent said crime and violence.

While mental health was the top ranked concern in most of the ZIP codes, there were variations in other top concerns. The 22312 and 22311 ZIP codes named dental problems as the third most pressing concern. The 22302 and 22314 ZIP code named crime and violence as the second top concern, while the 22302 ZIP code identified aging-related health concerns as the third concern. The 22301 ZIP code had environmental health and climate change issues as the third top concern.

There were also differences among racial and ethnic groups on the second and third ranked concerns. Most ranked mental health as the top concern, except Hispanic/Latino residents naming alcohol, drug and opiate use as well as Middle Eastern/North African residents specifying obesity, physical activity and nutrition.

The Hispanic/Latino group named dental problems and mental health as their next-highest concerns. African, Black/African American, Asian and multiracial groups named alcohol, drug and opiate use as the second concern, and the African group named chronic health conditions as the third concern. The Black/African American and multiracial groups named crime and violence as their third concern, while the Asian respondents named obesity, physical activity and nutrition third.

The Middle Eastern/North African group identified illnesses spread by insects and illnesses spread from people as their next highest concerns. White respondents named obesity, physical activity and nutrition and environmental health and climate change issues as their second and third top concerns.

According to the health department, there were variations in other population groups. Younger adults named tobacco use as a concern, while older adults prioritized aging-related health concerns.

Respondents had the chance to share strategies that would help make a healthier community. The top choice with 43 percent of respondents was safe, healthy and affordable housing. That was the top choice among all racial and ethnic groups and ZIP codes.

About a quarter of respondents each named support for children, youth and families as well as access to mental health and substance use services as ways to improve health. Another 23 percent said access to health care would improve community health. There were variations among groups on top strategies, such as access to health care, community involvement opportunities, access to mental health and substance abuse services, job opportunities, access to health care and more.

Top community strengths identified by respondents were diversity of the community (37 percent) opportunities to be involved (30 percent), educational opportunities (28 percent) and a good place for children, youth and families to live (27 percent).

The health department says it will use the results in the community health assessment, which is a comprehensive review of the state of Alexandria's health. The final community health assessment will be released by the end of June and will inform the city's five-year community health improvement plan.

Residents can see the survey results and a recorded webinar on key takeaways from the survey. There will be a community walk and talk event in the Landmark/Van Dorn neighborhood to get public input on Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m. Questions about the community health survey may be directed to healthmatters@vdh.virginia.gov.