The City of Cambridge releases a Community Health Improvement Plan every five years, which is a roadmap for the health department and its partners to strengthen the health of the city in the specific areas that need the greatest support. These areas are determined by a Community Health Needs Assessment. This plan is a requirement for national accreditation.
The 2026-2030 Community Health Improvement Plan, or CHIP, focuses on the following priorities:
1. Health and Systems Literacy
- Goal 1: Decrease the proportion of Cambridge residents with chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, with a focus on Black residents and residents with no/low English proficiency.
- Goal 2: Decrease the proportion of Cambridge residents who report poor mental health, anxiety, and depression, with a focus on youth, LGBTQIA+ residents, and residents with disabilities (cross-cutting goal across priority areas).
- Goal 3: Decrease the proportion of Cambridge residents who experience adverse maternal health outcomes, including low birth weight, with a focus on Black residents.
2. Social Isolation and Community Connection
- Goal 1: Decrease the proportion of Cambridge residents who report poor mental health, anxiety, and depression, with a focus on youth, LGBTQIA+ residents, and residents with disabilities (cross-cutting goal across priority areas).
All past Community Health Improvement Plans can be found on the Resources page.
Updated: October 6, 2026