Did you receive a letter or postcard in the mail asking you to participate in the Healthy Chicago Survey or the Healthy Chicago:  COVID-19 Impact Survey?

We hope you will consider participating to help us develop public health interventions and policies to address the impact of these health concerns on our communities. If you were selected to participate, you might have some questions. Find answers to some of the most common questions below in the FAQ section. If you still have questions, please contact us at  HealthyChicagoSurvey@rti.org

Data & Results 

Results from the HCS are shared on the Chicago Health Atlas and published in reports and briefs. Data are provided for Chicago overall and for each of Chicago’s 77 community areas. You’ll also find data stratified by demographics.  

Requests for a de-identified Healthy Chicago Survey dataset can be made by completing the HCS Data Request Form.  Please email the completed form to HCSdatarequest@cityofchicago.org.   The questionnaires and methodology reports can be found here. 

If you are looking for customized analysis of specific summary data from the Healthy Chicago Survey, please complete the Data Request and Data Feedback Form. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is this survey about?

A: The Healthy Chicago Survey is an annual survey led by the Chicago Department of Public Health to better understand the health of Chicagoans. In 2017, CDPH partnered with the Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital to also ask questions about children’s health in Chicago. CDPH works with RTI International to conduct this survey.

Q: How will you use this information?

A: This information will help the Chicago Department of Public Health and its partners measure and monitor progress of its community health improvement plan. The survey provides information to inform CDPH’s policies, programs, education initiatives and public awareness campaigns that will help improve the health of your community.

Q: What kinds of questions are asked?

A: The survey will ask questions about health, health behaviors, access to health and mental health services, and aspects of your neighborhood that impact health.

Q: Why was I selected to participate?

A: This survey is based on randomly selected addresses in Chicago.  Your address was no more likely to be picked that any other address in the city.  Your participation assures that your neighborhood will be represented in the findings of the survey.

Q: Can I volunteer to participate?

A: This survey is based on randomly selected addresses in Chicago and you must be invited to participate. Unfortunately, you cannot volunteer to participate. This is important because it ensures that each neighborhood is fairly represented in our sample.

Q: I’m in good health. Why do I need to participate?

A: To have an accurate picture of the health of Chicagoans, we need to hear from people both in good health and in poor health. Your address was randomly selected and your responses will help the Chicago Department of Public Health better understand how Chicagoans across the city and in your neighborhood are doing.

Q: Are my responses going to be confidential?

A: Your answers are all completely confidential. Your information is handled in a secure and confidential manner. Answers to survey questions are aggregated, which means that no one person’s answers will be reported.

Q: How long will the survey take?

A: The length of the survey depends on how you answer certain questions, but it takes about 15 or 20 minutes for most people.