Welborn Releases 2026 Edition of Greater Evansville Health Survey Report

Welborn announces the release of the 2026 edition of the Greater Evansville Health Survey (GEHS), the latest assessment of community health in the Greater Evansville region. This report builds on a tradition of health-focused research dating back to 2008 and offers insight into how health outcomes, behaviors, and access to care have changed since the 2021 edition.

The 2026 edition of the GEHS, based on data collected in 2025, provides a detailed look at regional health trends across multiple dimensions, including physical activity, chronic disease, mental health, and access to health services and healthy foods. The survey continues Welborn’s commitment to producing clear, reliable data that raises awareness, directs attention where it is most needed, and supports informed community decision-making.

Key findings in the report reveal encouraging progress in physical activity and reductions in some health behaviors, while also identifying ongoing challenges related to chronic illness, mental health concerns, and factors that disproportionately affect low-income households. 

According to the introduction to the report, “there are improvements to celebrate... but more work is needed to address chronic diseases, mental health, and access to health care and healthy foods—all especially true for low-income households.” 

Andrea Hays, Chief Program & Impact Officer at Welborn, encourages community stakeholders to use the data as a catalyst for collective action:

“Use the data to support health in whatever ways you can—let it motivate you to be more physically active, strengthen a grant application, or support a community collaboration. Together, we can create the momentum to build healthier communities and a flourishing region.” 

Why the GEHS Matters

The Greater Evansville Health Survey is a large-scale health survey of adults and children in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Gibson, and Posey Counties in Indiana, and Henderson County in Kentucky. The GEHS is designed to help community leaders, policymakers, nonprofit organizations, health professionals, and residents better understand local health conditions, track changes over time, and pinpoint opportunities for meaningful improvement. 

Welborn’s longstanding investment in this research reflects their mission to cultivate communities that flourish, supported by insight, collaboration, and impact. The data from this report is available to the public and can be used to inform everything from program planning and policy development to grant proposals and public education campaigns.

Executive Summary

This report shows progress worth celebrating, with some health indicators moving in the right direction. Yet concerns remain: several key measures are worsening, mental health emerges as a top challenge, and low-income households continue to face significant barriers to health and well-being.

1. Health improvements worth celebrating
   • More adults are physically active, housing conditions for most are trending towards health, built environments are shifting towards active living, and fewer adults are binge drinking and smoking.
2. Key indicators show signs of worsening
   • Fewer adults rate their health as excellent; adults are spending more days each month with poor health, and chronic disease rates are holding steady or have increased.
3. Mental health is a top concern
   • Rates of depression and anxiety are up, adults are spending more days per month where their mental health is not good, and more are being told by health professionals to reduce stress.
4. Low-income households continue to face barriers to good health
   • Households with low incomes have higher chronic disease rates, worse housing conditions, and more barriers to accessing healthy foods, medical, and mental health care.

To access the full survey report, click the link below.

Read the full report