Boston Children's 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment Report is now available

View this page for complete details on our findings, process, and implementation plan

About our community mission

Boston Children’s community mission is to improve the health and well-being of children and families in our local community. The Office of Community Health brings together hospital and community resources to address health disparities, improve health outcomes, and promote health equity.

It was one of the first academic medical centers in the country to expand the traditional missions of patient care, teaching, and research to embrace a fourth mission — community. These efforts have evolved from targeted services that reached smaller numbers of children and families to innovative models that have been proven to improve health outcomes and address health disparities.

Our community efforts are focused on offering programs and partnering with others that offer support and services that benefit children and families in Boston, specifically those which are the most affected by the social determinants of health (issues that impact someone’s overall health such as the consequences of poverty, living in unstable or unsuitable housing, being unemployed or underemployed, and being exposed to violence). While these initiatives primarily benefit Boston area families, Boston Children’s is proud that these programs have informed other efforts, policies and changes in care that improve the lives of children and families across Massachusetts and the U.S.

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group at community event
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Woman with hair pulled back in ponytail and wearing glasses speaks at lecturn
Rethinking a hospital’s role in community health
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Three children pose for camera. Boy at front holds a hula hoop.
Making a difference in our community
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Logo: Boston Children's Collaboration for Community Health
Partnering with community organizations to improve child and community health