The Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) has released its 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA), providing a comprehensive overview of the city’s health and well-being. This assessment, built using quantitative data and direct input from over 3,400 Milwaukee residents, examines how social factors, lived experiences, and built environments shape health outcomes over time.
Key Findings
Based on community input, the CHA identifies five priority health issues:
- Chronic Disease: Conditions such as diabetes and heart disease continue to affect a significant portion of the population.
- Maternal and Child Health: Disparities in infant mortality rates and access to prenatal care remain pressing concerns.
- Mental Health: Increased reports of depression and anxiety highlight the need for accessible mental health services.
- Substance Use: The ongoing challenges related to drug and alcohol use require targeted interventions.
- Violence and Injury: Injury and violence are leading drivers of premature death and disability in Milwaukee.
The assessment also documents disparities in education, housing, infant death rates, and life expectancy following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community-Driven Initiatives
In response to these findings, MHD supports MKE Elevate, a community-driven agenda aimed at improving health outcomes. The 2023-2028 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) focuses on four priority areas:
- Racism and Health Equity: Addressing systemic inequities to ensure all residents have equal opportunities for health and well-being.
- Maternal and Child Health: Enhancing support systems for mothers and children to improve health outcomes.
- Healthy Built Environment: Creating spaces that promote physical activity and access to healthy foods.
- Safe and Supportive Communities: Fostering environments where residents feel secure and supported.
These initiatives aim to create shared priorities and strategies to address the identified health issues, with the vision of a Milwaukee where all people are thriving in safe, healthy, and equitable neighborhoods.
Looking Ahead
The CHA serves as a foundation for public health planning and collaboration among city departments, healthcare providers, community organizations, policymakers, and residents. By focusing on these priority areas, Milwaukee aims to elevate the health and well-being of all who call the city home.
For more information on the Community Health Assessment and MKE Elevate, visit the Milwaukee Health Department’s official website.