The local health improvement process helps communities advance toward better health. This process begins with gathering population-level health information, analyzing it and using it to create a data-driven Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) to address the community’s greatest health needs. The CHIP for St. Mary’s County, Healthy St. Mary’s 2026, provides a community blueprint for improving the health of local residents from 2021- 2026. The plan provides insight into health solutions for the long-term and presents a road map for achieving optimal health for all.