The 2024 Massachusetts State Health Assessment (SHA) and State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) processes were guided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity.
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- Department of Public Health
- Population Health Information Tool
Massachusetts State Health Assessment (SHA)
Massachusetts Health Data Tool
The State Health Assessment, or the Massachusetts Health Data Tool, is a place to learn about the health of people who are born, live, learn, work, play, and age in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Health Data Tool covers over 300 data reports on population demographics, health outcomes and Social Determinants of Health at various geographic levels. These data help to identify the most important public health issues that are being addressed in order to achieve optimal health and well-being for all people in Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Health Data Tool also includes hundreds of community resources as part of the State Health Assessment. Locate helpful programs, best practices, evidence-based interventions, and support services on a wide range of health categories, from maternal, infant, and child health to housing security. These resources, provided by DPH, are continually reviewed and updated to make sure that anyone can find ways to improve health in their communities.
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For support and technical assistance, please contact dph.statehealthassessment@mass.
State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP)
SHIP and priority areas
The SHIP outlines goals, improvement strategies, assets and resources to promote health and equity in Massachusetts.
Find plan details, data, and information on what Massachusetts is doing for each for the following priority areas: 1) Chronic Disease 2) Drug Overdose Prevention 3) HIV, STIs, and Tuberculosis 4) Maternal Morbidity and Mortality.
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Process and strategy
SHA/SHIP process and partnerships
For the SHA and SHIP, DPH pivoted from a static document to a dynamic set of web-based dashboards and interactive webpages. The SHA and SHIP were done in collaboration with different partners including but not limited to different bureaus, offices, coalitions, advisories and boards, as well as tribal and indigenous people serving organizations.
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Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity
DPH’s five-year Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity aims to lead with race/ethnicity, though not exclusively, by implementing a racial-equity-informed intersectional approach to partnering with priority populations that experience the most deeply entrenched inequities in public health. This racial-equity-centered approach to health equity is the foundational public health strategy that guided the development of the 2024 Massachusetts SHA and SHIP.
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Public Health Accreditation
DPH accreditation status
The SHA and SHIP reports and data tools are essential for DPH's accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). DPH achieved initial accreditation status from PHAB on November 14, 2017 and was reaccredited on May 14, 2025.
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