FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 2, 2026
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Efrat Stein, [email protected]
Cook County Department of Public Health Launches Building Healthier Communities 2030, a Community-Driven Roadmap to Advance Health Equity Across Suburban Cook County
New Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan establishes shared priorities and coordinated action to improve residents’ wellbeing, including mental health, chronic disease prevention, and maternal & child health through 2030.
Suburban Cook County, IL – Building Healthier Communities 2030 fulfills state and national public health requirements while placing the lived experiences of residents at the center of decision-making. More importantly, it represents a commitment to accountability, partnership, and measurable progress toward healthier communities.
The plan is grounded in three comprehensive health assessments, including public health data and community insights that were identified with community partners. Working alongside residents and more than 50 community organizations, healthcare institutions, local governments, and other partners, CCDPH identified three priority areas that will guide collaborative action over the next five years:
- Mental Health and Substance Use
- Chronic Disease Prevention
- Maternal and Child Health
Strategies detailed in the plan include expanding access to care, strengthening care coordination, advancing policy solutions, and addressing the upstream factors that shape health. Implementation is underway, bringing together public health, healthcare systems, government agencies, community-based organizations, and residents to co-create solutions that improve health outcomes across suburban Cook County.
“Every resident of Cook County deserves the opportunity to achieve their highest level of health, regardless of race, ZIP code or income,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Building Healthier Communities 2030 advances that vision by centering health equity as both a value and an action framework. By aligning policy, public health, healthcare, and community leadership, we are creating lasting partnerships that will improve health outcomes for generations to come.”
The plan recognizes that health is shaped not only by healthcare, but also by housing, transportation, education, economic opportunity, food access, neighborhood conditions, and other social determinants of health. It also acknowledges the role that historic and ongoing structural inequities have played in creating unequal health outcomes across communities and commits to addressing those systemic barriers through coordinated action.
“Health equity cannot be achieved by any one organization alone,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, Chief Executive Officer, Cook County Health. “Building Healthier Communities 2030 demonstrates what is possible when healthcare systems, public health agencies, community organizations, and residents work together toward a common goal. Through this partnership, we are strengthening coordinated systems of care that improve access, address disparities, and support healthier lives across suburban Cook County.
“Building healthier communities requires more than strong public health programs, it requires sustained collaboration, shared accountability, and meaningful partnership with the communities we serve,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, chief operating officer, Cook County Department of Public Health. “Building Healthier Communities 2030 reflects listening, learning and working alongside residents and partners to identify where we can make the greatest impact. We remain committed to implementing this plan with transparency, measuring our progress, and ensuring that every community has the opportunity to thrive.”
Healthcare providers, community organizations, and local governments are encouraged to participate in the implementation of Building Healthier Communities 2030 by joining workgroups, aligning community initiatives with plan priorities and helping advance measurable progress toward health equity across suburban Cook County.
Visit the website to get more information about Building Healthier Communities 2030, read the Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan or to get involved.
Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH):
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