CHICAGO - The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released the Healthy Chicago 2025 Strategic Plan report, which presents the latest life expectancy data and details CDPH's reorientation to focus on mitigating the drivers of the racial life expectancy gap. Using the Healthy Chicago Survey, the department's Community Health Assessment, and citywide health outcome data, CDPH has examined the disparities in morbidity and mortality that have contributed to the widening racial life expectancy gap.

Similar to national trends, Chicago experienced a decline in life expectancy in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. However, due to the active engagement of communities in public health measures such as masking, social distancing, vaccinations, and treatments, life expectancy increased for the second consecutive year in 2022. By 2022, life expectancy in Chicago had risen to 77.2 years, just 1.6 years below the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. However, the number of years lost, and recovery post-pandemic varies by race and ethnicity.

While all racial and ethnic communities in Chicago have seen improvements in life expectancy since the pandemic, Black Chicagoans continue to experience the lowest life expectancy, at 69.8 years on average as of 2022. This marks an 11.4-year gap compared to their non-Black counterparts, with many neighborhoods on the South and West Sides falling even further below this average. Chronic diseases (heart disease, cancer, and stroke), homicide, and opioid overdose remain the primary factors driving the life expectancy gap, disproportionately impacting Black communities in Chicago.

"The recent data has prompted us to reflect on how to best direct our resources and tailor our efforts to make progress toward closing this gap,” said CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo 'Simbo' Ige, MD, MS, MPH. “We will align CDPH's priorities and programs to address the primary factors driving the widening racial life expectancy gap in the most impacted communities."

The Healthy Chicago 2025 Strategic Plan report features seven action plans aimed at addressing the key factors contributing to the life expectancy gap. These focus areas include chronic disease, violence, substance use, infectious disease, infant and maternal mortality, mental health, and partnerships. Special attention will be given to five priority communities that have experienced the lowest life expectancies or the most significant declines in recent years: East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, North Lawndale, Englewood, and West Englewood.

With this action plan the department is broadening its focus to address the life expectancy gap between Black Chicagoans and all other residents, referred to as non-Black Chicagoans. This shift marks a move away from centering white health outcomes as the benchmark and instead prioritizes the pursuit of racial equity for all communities in Chicago.

"Our focus is on improving the health and wellbeing of all Chicagoans, through effective collaboration and data-driven strategies,” said Dr. Ige, “CDPH is committed to prioritizing the health of communities most affected by declining life expectancy."

While the Healthy Chicago 2025 Strategic Plan report only details the commitments of CDPH through year-end 2025, CDPH will track key metrics to measure progress of a cumulative impact model strategy in reducing the Black and non-Black life expectancy gap. By using data trackers and dashboards, CDPH will stay accountable and evaluate the impact of its initiatives on community health.

CDPH is inviting residents to review the Healthy Chicago 2025 Action Plan and provide feedback. A public comment period will be open from December 16, 2024, to January 6, 2025, allowing Chicagoans the opportunity to share their feedback, ask questions, and voice concerns regarding the plan.

The full report will be posted on the Healthy Chicago 2025 Strategic Plan website and residents can submit their comments via email to healthychicago@cityofchicago.org. CDPH staff will review all submissions and provide answers and guidance to the questions raised.

CDPH will continue to provide updates on public health initiatives through several channels, including the Healthy Chicago Newsleter, the Healthy Chicago Podcast (available in both English and Spanish), monthly Board of Health meetings, and quarterly updates to City Council at Health and Human Relations Committee meetings.

View the full report and find more information on the CDPH Healthy Chicago website.

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