From the field….
Updates from our work in community—where listening, partnership, and action come together to advance health literacy and equity.Dream it
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Co-Create it
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Do it
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Share it
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Dream it • Co-Create it • Do it • Share it •
September 2025 | Publication Update
In Health Equity
Authors: Roxanne Mirabal-Beltran, Kelsey Rondini, Nandi Dube, Ana P. Torres, Katalina Hicks, and Alejandra Hurtado de Mendoza
In this study, we explored whether laundromats could serve as spaces for sharing reproductive health information. Across four DC laundromats, we surveyed 60 women about their health knowledge, experiences with care, and openness to learning while doing laundry.
While many participants had a strong foundation of knowledge, gaps remained particularly around folic acid use, pregnancy spacing, and recognizing symptoms of infection. Most participants expressed interest in receiving health information in laundromat settings.
What this tells us: Laundromats are trusted spaces with real potential for community-based health education.
August 2023 | Publication Update
Health Promotion Practice
Laundromats: Community-Based Partnerships to Increase Reproductive Health Literacy Outreach
Laundromats: Community-Based Partnerships to Increase Reproductive Health Literacy Outreach
Authors: Roxanne Mirabal-Beltran, Kelsey Rondini, and Laura Linnan
This paper explores how laundromats — trusted, everyday community spaces — have been used for health education, and where gaps still exist. While some efforts have shared information on topics like literacy and cancer prevention, few have been evaluated, and most have not been developed in partnership with the community.
We introduce WASH as a community-based model built through co-creation. This work reflects on what we’ve learned, what has been challenging, and what this approach makes possible moving forward.
Why this matters: It highlights the potential of bringing health education into spaces people already trust — and doing so in partnership with the community.
September 2022 | Featured Story
Georgetown University Berkley School of Nursing
Building Community Connections Through Participatory Research at Local Laundromats
WASH was featured in a Georgetown University Berkley School of Nursing story highlighting our approach to community-based health literacy and the role of laundromats as trusted spaces for engagement.
The story reflects what has been central to this work from the beginning—building relationships with community partners and rethinking where and how health education can happen. Laundromats, as familiar and accessible neighborhood spaces, offer a meaningful opportunity to connect with individuals who may not always be reached through traditional healthcare settings.
October 2021 | Key Update
CAB meets at the Stuart Center and becomes the WASH CAB!
Recognizing WASH as a model of culturally-responsive research!
During our October CAB meeting, we were joined by guest speaker, Tawara Goode, Associate Professor at Georgetown University (GU) Medical Center and Director of the GU National Center for Cultural Competence and GU Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. She shared her perspective on culturally-responsive research and community engagement. In reflecting on the WASH model, she identified this work as an exemplar of culturally-competent research — grounded in partnership, trust, and responsiveness to community needs!
Her remarks affirmed what has guided this work from the beginning: meaningful research is not only about what is studied, but how it is done and who is centered in the process.
We also officially came up with our name: Wash and Spin to Health!