The Plan for Well-Being outlines a path for improving the health and well-being of Virginians through four aims, 13 goals, and 29 measures. The 2019 Annual Report indicates the updated figure for each measure in The Plan, with the most current data available. In some instances, this year’s report also includes additional analysis of metrics, to better understand any disparities or trends in subpopulations. This year, the Annual Report also includes a “Health Equity Brief" that highlights examples of efforts to improve health equity throughout the Commonwealth. Lastly, the enclosed technical document provides more detail on values, data sources, and descriptions of each measure.

Of the 29 measures, when compared to baseline measures reported in 2016, 16 show improvement, although at different degrees. Of these, four measures (Percent of Adults Who Report Positive Well-Being, Disability-Free Life Expectancy, Percent of High School Graduates Enrolled in an Institution of Higher Learning, and Teen Pregnancy Rates) have exceeded the goal that was originally set forth in The Plan. The remaining 13 measures persist as areas of needed focus, in that they have evidenced little to no change, or in some cases, have decreased further away from the intended goal.

It is important to recognize the measures in The Plan provide high level, statewide data. Therefore, in some instances these statewide data will obscure racial, geographic or other disparities. For example, although the black infant mortality rate in and of itself is improving, the disparity between black infant mortality and white infant mortality persists. Similarly, the consumer opportunity measure differs when comparing rural vs. urban communities. There is also disparity in that measure by race. These are examples that much work remains, even in areas where metrics are improving.