This comprehensive report, prepared by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Health Policy Institute in collaboration with local Cook County PLACE MATTERS teams, examines how neighborhood conditions—from food access and housing quality to educational attainment and income disparities—directly impact health outcomes in Cook County, Illinois. The study demonstrates that racially and economically segregated communities face significant challenges, such as reduced access to chain supermarkets and higher rates of chronic disease and premature mortality. The report offers evidence-based policy recommendations that align with World Health Organization guidelines by presenting detailed analyses that link limited access to healthy foods with lower life expectancy and elevated health risks. Its proposals include strengthening food retail infrastructure, enhancing tracking of health inequities, and mobilizing multisector efforts to address persistent poverty—all toward ensuring that every resident in Cook County has the opportunity to achieve optimal health. (Read more)