Health Department Releases Community Assessment and Improvement Plan

The Lowell Health Department is pleased to announce the release of the Lowell Community Health Assessment (CHA) and the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). These reports are now available on the department's website and offer comprehensive data on the health and well-being of Lowell residents, along with an implementation plan for addressing key health priorities.

Throughout 2023, the Lowell Health Department, in collaboration with governmental agencies and community organizations, engaged in a year-long process to develop the CHA and CHIP. This effort was supported by data from the Greater Lowell Health Alliance community survey, which served as a foundation for identifying six key priorities for further investigation:

1. Mental Health
2. Substance Use
3. Housing
4. Accessibility
5. Violence
6. Discrimination Based on Race

Secondary data sources were also utilized to explore these priorities in greater depth. The findings revealed critical areas where improvements are needed in the community's health, such as:

• Mental Health: 17.60% of Lowell adults reported experiencing 14 or more days of poor mental health in the past month, exceeding the state average of 14.73%.
• Substance Use: The rate of opioid-related incidents reported by EMS in Lowell stands at 550 per 100,000 residents, significantly higher than the state average of 271 per 100,000.
• Housing Stability: Only 86.00% of Lowell residents reported living in the same home for the past year, below the state average of 87.80%.
• Public Transportation Usage: A low 2.30% of Lowell residents use public transportation for their daily commute, compared to 7.60% statewide.
• Violence: Violent crime involving significant others, family members and acquaintances occurs at a rate of 154 incidents annually, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to reduce domestic and interpersonal violence.

The CHA is organized into four sections. The first section outlines the methods and processes used in developing the CHA, while the second section provides a demographic profile of Lowell. The third section delves into the social determinants of health impacting the community, and the final section offers an in-depth analysis of the six identified priorities.

The CHIP was developed based on these findings, with specific objectives to address the challenges faced by the community. The CHIP presents evidence-based strategies and measurable goals aimed at improving the health and well-being of Lowell's residents over the coming years.

Both the CHA and CHIP can be accessed on the Lowell Health Department's website: https://www.lowellma.gov/1987/Public-Health-Accreditation

The department encourages all community members, stakeholders, and organizations to review the reports and participate in efforts to improve public health in Lowell.