Biennial State Health Report 

What is the State Health Report?  

Every two years, the State Board of Health produces a State Health Report (SHR) for the Governor and the state Legislature. This report identifies key public health priorities in Washington State and recommends policy actions for the next legislative cycle.  

The SHR is not a comprehensive assessment of the health of people in Washington. It also does not cover every public health priority or recommendation. Instead, it focuses on a small number of priority issues and provides policy recommendations for state decision-makers. 

The SHR complements other state health plans and reports. For example, the State Health Improvement Plan focuses on long-term public health strategies and implementation. The State Health Plan focuses on the health care system, including capacity, cost, and quality. 

State law requires that the Board produce this report in even-numbered years and submit it to the Governor’s Office by July 1. The Governor must then approve the report.  

2026 State Health Report 

The Board is pleased to share our 2026 SHR. The report outlines public health priorities and suggests policy recommendations for the 2027-2029 legislative cycle. This work was made possible through Foundational Public Health Services funding.   

The Board developed this year's report by reviewing existing state and county health plans and incorporating input from partners. This process identified seven recurring statewide public health priorities:   

  • Behavioral health, substance use, and overdose
  • Health care access and workforce capacity
  • Housing as public health infrastructure
  • Public health system capacity
  • Environmental health and climate related risks
  • Equity, language access, and culturally responsive systems 
  • Youth and family stability as structural determinants of health    

Based on these findings, the Board selected two cross-cutting focus areas for the 2026 report:  

  • Public Health System Capacity and Infrastructure
  • Environmental and Climate Resilience  

The report includes policy, funding, and systems-level recommendations for the Governor, Legislature, state agencies, local health jurisdictions, and other partners. It also outlines actions the Board plans to take during the next biennium to support progress in these areas. 

Read the report: 2026 State Health Report

Additional Resources

2024 State Health Report  

The 2024 SHR included recommendations from previous reports and identified areas where more action was needed to improve health in Washington. It highlighted policies, programs, and investments that should be retained, expanded, or established in the years ahead. 

The report focused on seven priority areas: data equity; health care access; culturally and linguistically appropriate care; school environmental health; Washington's public health system; commercial tobacco use; and environmental health and justice. 

The Board also gathered input from community groups and public health organizations to help identify priorities and barriers across Washington communities. This input helped inform the report and its recommendations. 

Read the report: 2024 State Health Report

Additional Resources

For More Information:  

Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.100 
Board Contacts: Hannah Haag, hannah.haag@sboh.wa.gov, and Molly Dinardo, molly.dinardo@sboh.wa.gov

If you want updates on the Board’s SHR, you can sign up for emails by filling out the SHR project interest form: State Health Report Interest Form