Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)
Yellowstone County's Community Health Improvement Plan
Based on the current needs identified in the Yellowstone County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), the Healthy By Design Coalition is leading the implementation of the 2026-2029 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Our Coalition, with support from Billings Clinic, RiverStone Health, and Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital, has adopted the following strategies to measurably improve the health of our community:
- Healthy Neighborhoods
- Strengthening Partnerships
The approach of these strategies is rooted in social drivers of health and focuses on improving and enhancing neighborhoods and built environment, social and community connections, and economic stability. Strategies prioritize embracing a collective impact approach across sectors to collaboratively address complex health and social needs. The CHIP will undergo continuous monitoring and evaluation of needs, data, and community feedback. This initial CHIP outlines the core strategic approaches of the Coalition. Over time, additional tactics, initiatives, and metrics will be set by the community and Coalition members.
Strategies are a continuation of the 2020 – 2023 and 2023 – 2026 CHIP strategies and were originally developed in consultation with Healthy People 2020 objectives and the 2019 – 2023 Montana State Health Improvement Plan.
Implementation of the 2023 – 2026 CHIP occurred between July 2023 through June 2026. Stay tuned for the final 36-Month Progress Report, which will be published on July 31, 2026.
How do these strategies work?
Welcoming and safe neighborhoods provide opportunities for community residents to meet their daily needs. Investments in infrastructure, community resources, and the people that make up our community are essential to ensure a high quality of life for all.
Unsafe neighborhoods and streets, due to poor infrastructure, lack of access to daily needs, and/ or perceived lack of safety, contribute to the following negative health outcomes:
- Physical inactivity
- Poor nutrition
- Stress
- Violence
- Social isolation
Physical inactivity and poor nutrition are associated with a myriad of poor health outcomes, including learning difficulties, cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, stress, and stroke. Social isolation is associated with increases in acute and chronic stress, vulnerability to natural disasters and pandemics, mental illness, substance abuse, and violence. These upstream strategies work by addressing these complex health issues at their source.
Source: ChangeLab Solutions, 2020
If you have questions regarding the Coalition’s Community Health Goals or would like to learn how you can become involved,
please contact us at info@hbdyc.org.
Previous strategic plans are accessible here:
2023-2026 Yellowstone County CHIP
2020-2023 Yellowstone County CHIP
2017-2020 Yellowstone County CHIP