CityHealth’s recent 2025 Policy Assessment shines a spotlight on health policies across America’s largest cities. The report found that 51 out of the 75 largest cities earned medals for their health policies, showing real progress in public health at the local level.
Key Highlights
- Medal Winners: This year, 68% of these cities received gold, silver, or bronze medals. Notable medalists include Chicago, which earned its first gold medal, joining cities like Boston and Denver.
- Population Impact: Approximately 47.6 million people now live in cities that achieved an overall medal, marking an increase of 4 million from the last assessment in 2024.
Katrina Forrest, the Executive Director of CityHealth, emphasized the importance of local policies in driving health improvements. “Real progress starts locally,” she stated, pointing out that cities are prioritizing health even amidst competing demands.
Other Noteworthy Changes
Several cities saw significant improvements in their medal standings. Five cities moved from bronze to silver, including Cleveland and Nashville. Austin, Cincinnati, Irvine, Phoenix, and Tulsa earned bronze medals for the first time.
Brian C. Castrucci, President of the de Beaumont Foundation, remarked, “This assessment shows the impact local leaders can have when they choose policies that strengthen the foundations of health.”
Focus on Policy Areas
CityHealth’s assessment evaluates cities based on 12 policy areas designed to improve health outcomes. These areas include affordable housing, access to greenspaces, and paid sick leave. In total, U.S. cities secured 434 individual policy medals, split across gold, silver, and bronze.
Historically, improving public health through local policies has gained traction. Similar assessments in previous years showed that as cities adapt to their communities’ needs, they often get better at implementing health-focused initiatives.
As urban populations continue to grow, data underlines how local government decisions can significantly influence public health. According to recent surveys, over 80% of Americans now live in urban areas, making the effects of these policy changes even more fundamental.
In conclusion, as cities evolve, so too does the opportunity to promote healthier communities. The collective efforts of local leaders show that small changes can lead to big outcomes in community health.
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