Air Quality and Health
Air pollution contributes to increased risk of chronic disease, which is the leading driver of Chicago’s nine-year life expectancy gap between Black and white residents and decreases in life expectancy in the Latinx population.
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) analyzed community-level data on air quality, health, and social factors to identify neighborhoods that should be prioritized for efforts to mitigate and reduce air pollution to better protect public health. The report builds on our commitment to health and racial equity through Healthy Chicago 2025 and initiatives led by local environmental justice organizations. The aim is to provide a resource for future action on environmental health. In developing this report, we consulted with subject matter experts, advocacy groups, and community-based environmental justice organizations.
The Air Quality and Health Report found that air pollution disproportionately burdens neighborhoods on the South and West Sides, with parts of the City bisected by major highways and high concentrations of industry facing significant impacts. This report provides a public health foundation to inform the City’s air quality agenda.
Access the data used for the report:
- Air Quality and Health Index Scores by Census Block Group: Provides index score and rank for each census block group.
- All Air Quality and Health Index Indicator Values: Complete list of all indicator values, geographic levels, index score and rank, intermediate calculated variables and ranks.
- Air Quality and Health Index Indicator Description: For each indicator, lists year of estimate, references for data sources and methods, and exclusion criteria.
- Air Quality and Health Index Indicator Value Distribution: Describes distribution of values and summary statistics for each indicator.
- Chicago Air Quality and Health Index Map Layer: Map layer with index values for census block groups (requires ESRI ArcMap).
