The Health Department believes all people should live in environments that foster growth and allow people to thrive. The Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention (CDIP) works to achieve that by cultivating safe, healthy, and livable communities throughout Philadelphia.

Chronic diseases and homicide are among the leading causes of death in Philadelphia. CDIP strives to prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, asthma and diabetes, as well as injuries related to gun violence. The stories of everyday Philadelphians combined with scientific data help guide CDIP as it works to improve the health of everyone in the city.

CDIP is committed to health justice and recognizes the structural factors that shape the public’s health, including systemic racism and other social, economic, and political forces. In order to build safer, healthier and more equitable spaces throughout Philadelphia, CDIP works to improve city-wide systems surrounding health data, affordable primary health care, nutritious food and water access, support for quitting tobacco, and community (direct grant support) funding. It also develops policies that can support health including a right to safe living, water, fresh foods, and tobacco free spaces for everyone. In addition, CDIP works to cultivate environments that nourish all Philadelphians’ health through access to nutritious foods, safer livable spaces, opportunities for joyful movement, and cleaner, tobacco-free air.