PHILADELPHIA—The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has released the 2021 Health of the City report. This easy-to-read annual report is intended to
describe the health of Philadelphians compared to the previous year. The report
found improvements in Philadelphians’ health behaviors such as lower tobacco
use, binge drinking, and consumption of sugary drinks like soda. However, the
report also found significant health disparities presenting in the Black and
Hispanic communities.

The 2021 report illuminates some of the issues and disparities the Philadelphia Department of Public Health is currently combating. It points to the disparities affecting the Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic communities who suffer structural racism and discrimination that contribute to either static or worsening health outcomes. Specifically, behavioral health, as denoted by emotional well-being, mental illness, and substance use has worsened for this group. Not only are the chronic health conditions this group experience responsible for over half of the leading causes of death in Philadelphia; young Non-Hispanic Black males bear the
highest burden of homicide mortality.

Dr. Frank Franklin, Deputy Health Commissioner for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, is committed to effectively tackling these issues. He emphasized that, “Among the summary health measures, Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic outcomes are either getting worse or are showing no change. Chronic health conditions and injury make up more than half of the leading causes of death in Philadelphia, and structural racism and discrimination continue to increase the likelihood of being exposed to risk factors that account for the disparate outcomes by race and ethnicity. “Therefore,” added Dr. Franklin, “public health strategies at the population level that consider these structural inequities are critical to eliminating health disparities and advancing health and well-being for all Philadelphians.”

The Health of the City reports summarizes data that describes the health of Philadelphians, the socio-economic conditions they experience, their health behaviors, such as nutrition and tobacco/alcohol use, their access to suitable health care, and their physical environment as defined by factors like air quality and access to adequate housing. This report is designed to help health care providers, city
officials, people who make decisions for non-governmental organizations, and
residents who make informed decisions about health.

This report, and previous Health of the City reports can be found on the Health Department’s website: https://www.phila.gov/documents/health-of-the-city/.