State Health Assessment & Improvement Planning
Overview
The Maryland Department of Health is pleased to announce that the 2024-2029 State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) has been updated. Originally published in 2024, the SHIP is guided by a comprehensive review of Maryland’s current health status, based on a compilation of primary and secondary data from a formal State Health Assessment (SHA) that was conducted in 2024. The SHIP uses SHA insights to establish priorities for improving the community's health based on identified areas of greatest need. Additionally, the SHIP is informed by community input, health indicators, and Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs).
Because the SHIP is a living document, it evolves as health priorities, data sources, and best practices change. It provides a framework for MDH programs, sister state agencies, partner associations, community-based organizations, and health systems in Maryland to address the state’s five health priority areas.
This initiative, Building a Healthier Maryland, was facilitated by MDH and was conducted collaboratively with organizations and partners across Maryland. The first activity that was completed as part of the initiative was to conduct a State Health Assessment (SHA). The assessment involved taking a comprehensive look at data that provide insight into Maryland's health landscape, covering everything from health behaviors, health outcomes and the physical environment. The assessment allows us to collaboratively identify and prioritize key health concerns so that goals and objectives can be set to address those priorities in the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP).
The Building a Healthier Maryland health priorities are:
Priority 1: Chronic Disease
Priority 2: Access to Care
Priority 3: Women’s Health
Priority 4: Violence
Priority 5: Behavioral Health
Access the SHA and SHIP below:
How can I learn more about Maryland’s SHA/SHIP?
How can I monitor progress on the health priorities as laid out in the SHIP?
- Explore the 2026 SHIP metrics to gain insights about population health outcomes in Maryland.
Where can I learn more about previous health improvement initiatives in Maryland?
Get Involved
Building a Healthier Maryland is a collaborative effort to improve the health of all Marylanders and in order to be successful, requires the involvement of partners from across sectors. These include as community members, community-based organizations, and state and local government agencies across Maryland. Want to get involved? Sign up for more information, updates and our SHIP newsletter by filling out this form.
If you are interested in participating in SHIP implementation through participation in the health priority workgroups and other engagement activities, sign up here.
