MILWAUKEE — For the first time in three years, there is a new look at health in Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) released its 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA), the city’s most comprehensive snapshot of health and well-being.
Built using quantitative data and direct input from more than 3,400 Milwaukee residents, the CHA examines how social factors, lived experiences, and built environments shape health outcomes over time.
Based on that input, five priority health issues emerged in the assessment: chronic disease, maternal and child health, mental health, substance use, and violence and injury.
The assessment also found that injury and violence are leading drivers of premature death and disability in Milwaukee and documented disparities in education, housing, infant death rates, and life expectancy following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Milwaukee Health Department’s Community Health Assessment is a resource for the entire city,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “It provides a shared foundation for City departments and our partners to make informed decisions that support healthier communities. Whether you’re working in housing, public safety, transportation, economic development, or community services, this data helps us understand how our work connects to health and where collaboration can make the biggest difference.”
The 2025 CHA is MHD’s first city-specific assessment since 2022.
The findings will help guide MHD’s work and inform its Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), which is executed through MKE Elevate, a community-driven partnership focused on improving health outcomes across Milwaukee. The CHA also serves as a shared reference for collaboration among City departments, health care providers, community organizations, policymakers, and residents.
