Louisville's health department launches countywide data dashboard to promote health equity

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville residents have a new tool to help keep them healthier.

Wednesday, the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness launched the city's new Health Equity Data Dashboard. The dashboard provides current data on the city's overall health, including demographics and causes for seven health outcomes.

“My goal is to create a safer, stronger and healthier Louisville and to do that, we must create a more equitable city,” Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a news release. “This data offers valuable insights and perspectives that will help our team, public health leaders and community partners better determine how to make Louisville a place where everyone can reach their full health potential.”

People can view data about accidents and injuries, Alzheimer's Disease, arthritis, births, cancer, heart disease and homicides. Officials said more health outcomes will be added in the coming months.

In addition to the dashboard, the city's health department released a summary of the 2023 Health Equity Report, which can be viewed by clicking here.

Health officials provided some important findings from the 2023 report, including:

Jefferson County has seen a decline in life expectancy compared to six years ago.
The current life expectancy for Jefferson County residents is about 74.8 years. But in the northwest portion of the county, where predominantly Black residents live, the life expectancy is only 65.4 years.
The leading causes of death for Jefferson County residents are heart disease and cancer, with Black residents experiencing higher death rates than any other racial/ethnic group.

To access the Health Equity Data Dashboard, click here. To view the 2023 Health Equity Report, and previous reports, click here.