Your Voice Counts: Take the Massachusetts Community Health Equity Survey Before It Closes

Are you worried about paying rent? Is it hard to get a doctor’s appointment? Do you feel your neighborhood is missing services?

Many Latino families face these situations every day, but their experiences often don’t show up in the data used to make decisions.

Today you have a chance to change that.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is conducting the 2026 Community Health Equity Survey (CHES).

And it will be open through November.

What is the Community Health Equity Survey?

According to the DPH, it is a confidential survey, mostly online, that asks about the experiences and needs of people who live in Massachusetts.

It was designed together with residents and community organizations, and it is part of the state’s Community Health Equity Initiative (CHEI).

The questions cover everyday topics: housing, health care access, mental health, employment, education, transportation, safety and the information sources you trust.

According to the DPH announcement, this year it also includes questions about immigration experiences and their effect on mental health.

This is the third edition

“Public health works only when people believe in it,” said Dr. Robbie Goldstein, Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health, when launching the survey.

Who can take it?

Anyone age 12 or older who lives in Massachusetts for all or part of the year.

Including:

Latino people and other communities of color.
People whose primary language is not English.
People with immigration experience.
Adults age 60 and older.
Youth and young adults ages 12 to 24.
Pregnant people and parents of young children.
Parents and caregivers of children with special health care needs.
People with disabilities, veterans and rural residents.

Why does it matter for our community?

Data from the previous survey shows why our voice is needed.

More than 18,000 people responded in 2023. According to the 2023 results, among Hispanic or Latino adults:

33.6% were worried about being able to pay for housing, compared with 17% of white adults.
55.5% had trouble paying for at least one basic need, such as food or utilities, compared with 31% of white adults.
Only 57.7% had paid sick leave at work, compared with 78.1% of white respondents.

The survey also showed challenges that affect residents across the state.

Among Massachusetts adults:

15.2% had a health care need that went unmet in the past year.
14.8% had trouble paying their medical bills.
18% reported experiencing some form of discrimination in the past year.
17.3% reported very high psychological distress in the past month.

These figures aren’t just numbers: they are families choosing between paying rent and going to the doctor.

And when the data shows the problem, it’s easier to get solutions.

What this data has already achieved

According to the DPH, more than 125 organizations have used the initiative’s data to secure funding, create programs and advocate for their communities.

Some examples:

Immigrant workers: the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division used data on paid sick leave to decide where to investigate and how to reach workers.
MassHealth: the data helped support a federal 1115 waiver that expanded coverage and access.
Youth: it was used to create school-based telebehavioral health programs and support for pregnant and parenting teens.
People with disabilities: it helped prioritize their access to vaccines.

Is it safe? What you should know about your privacy

It’s normal to have questions before answering a government survey. Here is what the DPH explains:

It’s anonymous. It doesn’t ask for your name, email, address or phone number, and it doesn’t record your IP address or device.
It doesn’t ask about your immigration status, and responses cannot be linked back to you.
It’s voluntary. You can skip any question and stop at any time.
Your individual responses are not shared with other state or federal agencies. Only trained, authorized DPH staff can see them.
Public results are grouped, with no information that could identify anyone.

How to take it, step by step

Go to mass.gov/HealthSurvey on your phone or computer.
Choose English or the language you prefer.
Answer at your own pace: it takes 15 to 30 minutes.
If a question makes you uncomfortable, you can skip it.

The survey is available in 11 languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole and American Sign Language (ASL).

If needed, someone else can help you read and complete the questions.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to give my email or create an account?

No. The survey doesn’t ask for an email or any contact information. Just open the link and start.

Can I take it on my phone?

Yes. It’s designed to be completed online, on your phone or computer.

Can someone help me?

Yes. According to the DPH, someone else can translate the questions for you or help you complete them. It’s a great opportunity for children and grandchildren to help the older adults in the family.

What if I don’t live in Massachusetts all year?

You can still take part. The survey is open to people who live in the state all year or only part of it.

Where will I see the results?

The DPH will publish the 2026 results starting in spring 2027. The 2023 results are already available online, in data tables and a public dashboard.

Who can I contact with questions?

The initiative’s team, at chei@mass.gov.

Help your community count

Take it yourself and encourage everyone age 12 and older in your home to do the same.
Help a family member who is older or not comfortable with technology.
Share it at your church, your job or your WhatsApp groups.

The 2026 results will be published in spring 2027 and will be available for community organizations to use.

A message from My Health Fair

Fifteen minutes of your time can help bring more housing, health and employment resources to the places in Massachusetts that need them most.

Take the survey today at mass.gov/HealthSurvey and share it with your family.

Find more health resources at myhealthfair.com.