Community Health

Because healthy communities matter to everyone

Department of Community Health

Our department works to improve health through collaborative relationships, education and clinical services. Specific goals are to reduce health inequities, better understand health by conducting community assessments, serve as community conveners, and connect our patients and staff to services in the communities and at CHA.

Our efforts are integral to improving health through a lens of justice and health equity.

Listening to the community to understand health needs and empowering individuals to advocate for those needs
Building community knowledge through education, training, and workforce development
Taking action by initiating programs based on community-identified health needs and priorities
Conducting research in partnership with communities and stakeholders
Creating an environment where individuals can support their community health needs
Providing medical care, mental health care, and social services in our neighborhoods

Group meeting and participans who are laughing — Health Education and Access

Breaking down barriers to accessing care by building trust, understanding individuals' needs and providing the resources to address those needs.

Large mural paiting on building, with smiling children — Health Improvement Team

Collaborating with our community to provide leadership around health issues that impact the community.

Elderly woman laughing and smiling outside — Healthcare for the Homeless

Bringing medical care and mental health support to you. Being homeless is hard. We try to make it just a little easier.

Four young people standing in a line, looking at the viewer — HIV Prevention and Services

Providing a coordinated approach to HIV that brings together doctors and public health experts to meet patient and community needs.

Two friends, arm-in-arm and smiling — Sexual and Reproductive Health

Providing unbiased and equitable access to reproductive and sexual health information and services.

Close up photograph of a flower blooming — Trauma and Community Violence Services

Counseling, finding community resources and medical services, and accessing the court system. We are experts in trauma, victimization, victim advocacy and navigating the justice system.

Happy mother and baby on a white background — WIC

Providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services, free of charge, to Massachusetts families who qualify.

Photograph of teens in a line, smiling — Youth Initiatives

Providing youth opportunities to build skills for healthy living, community leadership and career exploration; and professional development with a focus on mental health and wellbeing.

Programs & Services

Aging Wisely Program

CHA Revere Mobile Market

Health Data and Reports

CHW and VHA Program

Breast/Cervical Cancer Program

Mental Health First Aid

Teen Health Centers

Senior Suicide Prevention

See the Upcoming Events page for information about community programming happening near you.

Community Engagement

We work and meet with public health departments and other healthcare organizations and identify potential collaborations or identify emerging issues. We work in partnership with community partners to develop initiatives and programs to reduce health disparities, promote wellness, improve overall community health, and impact public policy.

Cambridge Public Health Department

Community Health Advisory Council

Somerville Health Foundation Overview

Somerville Health Foundation Application

Population Health in Your Community

Find out how CHA is helping you and your community improve health. We do more than provide excellent healthcare, we're partnering with your community to meet health needs that are root causes of health disparities. Watch this video to learn more about what CHA is doing to keep you healthy.

Contact Us

Doug Kress, Chief Community Officer

Phone: 781-338-0309

Third party site: