Dearborn, MI — The City of Dearborn’s Public Health Department has released its inaugural Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)—a groundbreaking, data-rich initiative developed with technical support from the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI) and community input. This landmark report, based on a survey of 1,127 residents and multiple focus groups, puts public health at the forefront of municipal policy. ArabAmericanNewsdearborn.gov
Key Findings:
- Child Poverty & Maternal Health
- Nearly one-third of children in Dearborn live below the federal poverty line.
- In 2023, Medicaid covered 64% of births in Dearborn—far above the state average of 39%.
- Environmental Concerns
- Residents raised alarm about air quality, pollution, and neighborhood cleanliness—especially in Southend and East Dearborn.
- Children, people with illnesses, and other vulnerable groups are bearing the brunt of environmental degradation.
- Mental and Behavioral Health
- Roughly 20% of residents reported experiencing poor mental health for at least 14 out of the past 30 days.
- Cultural stigma continues to deter many from seeking help.
- Access to Health Resources & Literacy
- Residents emphasized a need for clearer, more accessible channels for health information—especially for non-English speakers.
- Culturally Responsive Data Collection
- The CHNA included a “Middle East and North Africa” (MENA) identity option, a first for any local data collection in Dearborn, improving representation in a city where many Arab Americans are discretely categorized as “White.”
Vision & Next Steps
DPH Director Ali Abazeed framed the report as both a mirror and a roadmap: “It’s Dearborn telling its own story—what hurts, what heals, and what’s possible when communities, science, and government work together.” Meanwhile, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud described the report as a “compass” guiding recovery and equity through a “health-in-all-policies” approach.
The full CHNA—and the upcoming Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), which outlines actionable strategies across mental health, maternal and child health, environmental health, and health literacy—is publicly available via the City’s website.
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