NACCHO's Community Design project enhances the capacity of local health departments (LHDs) to be involved in decision-making processes and otherwise extend their role in issues related to land use. NACCHO and the American Planning Association (APA) are working to bring LHDs into the land usage decision-making process. As part of this effort, planners and local public health officials will address interconnections through research and information sharing.
NACCHO began this effort with an assessment of the current situation to determine whether public health officials are actively engaged in land use planning decisions, what barriers prevent their involvement in the planning process, and to what degree health officials are aware of the links between land use planning and health.
"Planning for Healthy Places with Health Impact Assessments" is a how-to guide for conducting 
On August 14th, the Jefferson County (AL) Planning and Zoning Commission adopted the first installment of a new 
The Built Environment and Health issue presents practical strategies, innovative approaches, and new research on connecting the fields of public health, planning, transportation planning, and development.
