The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) has released the 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA), offering a comprehensive analysis of the city’s health landscape. This report, shaped by extensive community engagement over 18 months, identifies significant health challenges and outlines priorities to foster a healthier, more equitable Denver.
Key Health Priorities
The CHA emphasizes three primary health priorities:
Access to Health Care
Ensuring that all residents have equitable access to quality health care services is paramount. The assessment highlights disparities in health care availability and seeks to address barriers that prevent individuals from receiving necessary care.
Safe and Affordable Housing
Recognizing the critical link between housing and health, the CHA underscores the need for safe, stable, and affordable housing options. Housing insecurity can lead to adverse health outcomes, making this a vital area of focus.
Systemic Racism
The report acknowledges systemic racism as a fundamental determinant of health disparities. Addressing and dismantling these systemic issues is essential to achieving health equity across all communities in Denver.
Community Engagement and Data-Driven Insights
The CHA is the result of collaborative efforts involving residents, community organizations, and data analysis. Interactive dashboards, maps, and direct community feedback provide a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing health outcomes in Denver.
Moving Forward
DDPHE encourages stakeholders to utilize the CHA to inform programs, policies, and collective efforts aimed at improving health outcomes. By focusing on the identified priorities, Denver can work towards a future where every resident has the opportunity to achieve optimal health.
For more detailed information, the full 2025 Community Health Assessment is available on the DDPHE website.