CONTACT: Renae Miller, Public Information Supervisor, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, (360) 463-0362 or renae.miller@co.thurston.wa.us; Dr. Jennifer Freiheit, Director, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services

Thurston County Releases Report Journey to Health Equity: Health Disparities within Thurston County 2025 

OLYMPIA – Thurston County has published the report Journey to Health Equity: Health Disparities within Thurston County 2025, an essential and comprehensive examination of the health inequities facing our communities. This report provides critical insights into disparities that affect the health and well-being of Thurston County community members and strategies for addressing them. 

This results from an extensive breakdown conducted by public health professionals and local experts. It serves as a vital tool for understanding the underlying causes of health disparities and provides a comprehensive overview of how we can work collectively to reduce these inequities. The analysis shows how financial hardship, poverty, housing, educational attainment, gender or sexual diversity, veteran status, disability status, and other influences can impact people’s opportunities to lead healthy lives. A closer look at key indicators—including childhood poverty, median household income, housing cost burden, birth outcomes, and life expectancy—demonstrates how deeply inequities run across different demographics within Thurston County. 

The report delves into how social determinants of health—such as income, education, housing, health behaviors, community support, and access to healthcare—vary widely across racial, ethnic, and geographic lines, leading to stark disparities in health outcomes. These disparities mean that not everyone has an equal shot at a healthy life.

For more information or to download the full report, please visit www.thurstoncountywa.gov/health-equity