A Glimpse at the 2023 County Health Rankings

May 17, 2023

The 2023 County Health Rankings are now available. Our health is shaped by a variety of factors, including the social, economic, cultural, and physical environments we live in. The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program provides data on more than 90 factors that influence our health, such as education, employment, community safety, housing, and access to health care. By examining these factors and how they vary among different populations and geographies, we can identify strategies to advance health and equity. We have highlighted a few of the available maps.


Length of Life


Length of Life is the time between birth and death, and it is an important indicator of population health. We measure how long people live to gain insights into the factors that influence premature deaths. The map below ranks each county by life expectancy- with 1 being the highest life expectancy and 14 being the lowest. Improving community-level factors, such as access to healthy food, quality medical care, and a clean environment, can help to extend life expectancy and improve overall health. 

Length of Life

Physical Inactivity


In Massachusetts, 19% of adults reported taking part in no physical activity outside of work. This ranged from 16% to 24% of adults across counties in the state. Physical inactivity is linked to increased risk of health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, stroke, hypertension, and shortened life expectancy. 

Physical Inactivity

Mental Health Providers


Access to mental health care is essential for improving overall health and well-being. This map shows the ratio of population to mental health providers in different counties. There have been many efforts to improve mental health in the region and state, such as the designation of 25 new Community Behavioral Health Centers that offer 24/7 crisis care as well as routine appointments and walk-ins. 

Mental Health Providers

If you are interested in exploring more, visit the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps website

share this

Related Articles

May 30, 2025
Live Well Springfield Transforming Communities Initiative invites you to attend their Housing Resource Fair
May 28, 2025
The Springfield City Council and Springfield Zoning Board of Approvals, represented by the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), asked the state’s Supreme Judicial Court to review a decision that revived building permits for the controversial Palmer Renewable Energy biomass facility in Springfield. Read CLF's press release for more information. Community groups and health advocates have been fighting against this proposed plant for more than a decade. Burning biomass, like wood, pollutes our air with particulate matter, contributing to asthma and other serious health issues. The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts recently joined CLF and more than 86 other organizations urging MA lawmakers to end public subsidies for biomass energy. Act Now!  Tell the Massachusetts Legislature to take dirty biomass out of our clean energy programs!
May 14, 2025
Beyonca Twiggs is a Project Coordinator at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Read her reflection below about engaging in equity work and showing up even when it is hard. Showing Up When It's Hard There are days when the work feels heavy. Not just the tasks or the meetings, but the weight of what we’re trying to change. Systems that were never built for everyone. Patterns that repeat across generations. Stories that aren’t told, because they’ve been ignored for so long. On those days, I remind myself why I’m here. I didn’t get into this work because I had all the answers. I got into it because I kept seeing the same harm, the same gaps, the same silence, especially around race and health. And I wanted to be part of interrupting that silence. I’ve learned that equity work isn’t about checking boxes or writing the right statement. It’s about being willing to stay in the room when things are uncomfortable. It’s about asking, “Who’s not here?” and meaning it. It’s about choosing to be accountable, not just when someone is watching, but especially when no one is. It means listening even when the truth stings. It means making space for stories that challenge how we see the world and how we see ourselves. Sometimes, it’s slow. Sometimes, it’s painful. But every time we choose to show up differently— more aware, more honest, more intentional—something shifts. And over time, those shifts start to matter. I’ve also learned that change doesn’t always look like a policy passed or a report released. Sometimes, it looks like someone feeling seen for the first time. Sometimes, it’s a door that wasn’t open before. Sometimes, it’s just staying committed when it would be easier to walk away. I am doing this work because I believe in the possibility of something better, and not just in theory, but in practice. In neighborhoods. In classrooms. In clinics. In the everyday places where people deserve to be safe, to be well, and to be valued. This isn’t just professional for me. It’s personal. Because the stakes are real. Because our communities deserve more than survival. They deserve care. They deserve joy. They deserve justice. So no, I don’t have all the answers. But I’m here. I’m learning. I’m listening. And I’m staying. Because the work is worth it. And so are the people we do it for. If you’re looking for ways to deepen your understanding, continue learning, or spend more time with the stories and voices that shape this work, I encourage you to explore the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide . It offers tools, reflections, and local resources to support ongoing growth.