The Mayor’s Health Task Force (MHTF) is a multi-sector coalition that promotes health equity for all through advocacy, education, capacity-building, and networking.

 The MHTF serves as an advisory board to the mayor by placing public health issues high on the political agenda of the city and establishing new partnerships that build community capacity to address health disparities. The Task Force is a comprehensive effort by community activists to move Lawrence forward as a healthy city in the broadest possible terms.  

 The vision of the MHTF is a healthy, safe, and thriving community for all.

 In July 2010, the MA Department of Public Health requested that the MHTF assume the responsibility of administering CHNA (Community Health Network Area) 11, extending our reach to Methuen, Andover, North Andover and Middleton, to provide technical assistance for these communities, exponential growing the membership and scope of the MHTF.

 Using a combination of three public health frameworks- Collective Impact, City Resilience, and Health in All Policies, the MHTF identifies health disparities and addresses socioeconomic factors that impact the health of residents, through the individual and collective work of our working groups:

• Adolescent Health and Youth Leadership
• Behavioral Health
• Healthy Active Living
• Homelessness Initiatives
• Research Initiative

 Among our health focus areas, though not listed, is Substance Use, which has been woven into the work plan of each of the other groups.