Detroit Health Department Unveils 2026–2029 Community Health Plan

Detroit’s New Health Assessment: A Roadmap for Community Well-being

Detroit has unveiled its first extensive Community Health Assessment (CHA) since 2018, crafted with insights from over 6,000 residents. This assessment lays the groundwork for a strategic health improvement plan set to roll out from 2026 to 2029, focusing on key areas like maternal health, chronic conditions, food access, and healthcare services.

Mayor Mary Sheffield, alongside Chief Public Health Officer Ali Abazeed and other key stakeholders, presented this comprehensive health snapshot, which highlights the impact of social factors and built environments on the health and life expectancy of Detroit residents. The CHA serves as the foundation for the upcoming Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), which will be implemented starting this summer.

“The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) will be our blueprint for improving health equity and outcomes for Detroiters,” said Mayor Sheffield. “This report is another example of how my administration is putting resident voices at the forefront of our policy and program decisions and advancing my Health in All Policies approach. I appreciate the significant contributions of the Detroit Health Department team, our community task force partners, and the more than 6,000 Detroiters who contributed to this plan.”

Chief Public Health Officer Ali Abazeed echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of community input in shaping the plan. “By centering resident voices, we are putting Health in All Policies into practice,” he stated. “The CHA tells us where Detroiters are facing barriers to health, and the CHIP gives us a shared roadmap to address them – from maternal and infant health and chronic conditions to food access and access to care. I’m proud of the Detroit Health Department team and our community partners for turning data and lived experienced into concrete action for every neighborhood.”

Developed in collaboration with a diverse 30-member task force, the CHA identifies four main strategic issues, each with specific goals and strategies:

Maternal and Infant Health

Concerns were raised about barriers related to childcare, family support, and transportation, often influenced by racial disparities and resource scarcity.

Chronic Conditions

Residents highlighted air quality issues, particularly its link to asthma, impacting vulnerable groups.

Access to Healthy Food

The lack of affordable, nutritious food options was a significant concern, exacerbated by food deserts and a need for better nutrition education.

Access to Healthcare

Challenges include proximity to healthcare services, cultural competency of providers, long wait times, trust issues, and insurance navigation difficulties.

The survey also gathered data on factors critical to health outcomes, such as family health history, personal health behaviors, neighborhood environment, economic status, education access, and LGBTQ+ supportive services. Jasahn M. Larsosa, Executive Director of GreenLight Fund Detroit, noted the alignment of community needs with health initiatives, stating, “What stands out from this process is how aligned Detroiters are on what families need to be healthy and stable.”

The Detroit Health Department invites residents and partners to join CHIP Action Teams to support ongoing community action. The CHIP is designed to adapt as new data and opportunities arise. The report’s creation was supported by the Michigan Public Health Institute and funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

The complete 2025 community health assessment and improvement plan is available for public access at detroitmi.gov/health.