Mayor of Lawrence Deb Whitfield unveils a sweeping health initiative to close life expectancy gaps across neighborhoods during her 2025 State of the City Address.
The event, happening at 6 p.m. on April 23 at the Lawrence Government Center, spotlights the launch of Live Longer in Lawrence which is a citywide effort to integrate wellness into urban planning, policy and public services.
Led by newly appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Kunzer, the endeavor targets systemic causes of health disparities by expanding access to care, promoting mental wellness and fostering active lifestyles through redesigned housing, transportation and parks.
Whitfield emphasized the urgency of the campaign, noting stark local divides.
“Where you live should not determine how long you live,” Whitfield said. “Just a few miles can mean an eight-year difference in life expectancy—and we’re working to change that.”
Kunzer framed the program as a long-term shift in civic priorities.
“This isn’t just a campaign — it’s a movement,” Kunzer said. “We’re building a healthier future for every resident.”
The address reviews infrastructure, public safety and economic development progress, including a balanced $28 million budget and new community partnerships.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the free event, which will be streamed live on the city’s YouTube channel. Residents can attend in person at 9001 E. 59th Street or tune in remotely.
For more information on Lawrence’s State of the City, visit cityoflawrence.org.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
