Community Design/Land Use Planning

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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.

RFA Announcement

NACCHO HIA Mentorship Project

NACCHO is once again partnering with the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Health Impact Project to increase the use of Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) among local health departments (LHDs). LHDs supported under the projects will receive peer-to-peer assistance and intensive technical support, thereby, advancing the practice of HIA among LHD-based practitioners, while also increasing the number of HIAs completed in the United States. We are seeking applicants for both the HIA mentors, experienced in conducting HIAs, and mentees new to the HIA process and interested in receiving assistance and technical support. Mentors and mentees will be paired according to technical assistance needs. All interested and eligible LHDs are encouraged to apply.

Important dates:

The RFAs will be available and open for applications starting the week of June 24.
An information session will be conducted Tuesday, July 16 from 1:00–2:00 PM EDT (Registration and call-in information TBA).
Applications are due:
- Mentors: August 9 by 8:00 PM EDT
- Mentees: August 16 by 8:00 PM EDT.

Please check back here for more updates.

NACCHO HIA Mentorship Project

NACCHO completed year one of the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Mentorship project that matched four LHDs with a local health official to share their experience in completing an HIA. Knox County (TN), Madison County (NY), Cincinnati (OH), and San Antonio (TX) were provided with technical assistance from their mentors throughout the process of developing and presenting a HIA to address a proposed policy change in their jurisdiction. For more information on HIAs, please see the featured resources on this page.

Featured Resources

Environmental Public Health Tracking and Health Impact Assessments Webinar

NACCHO hosted a webinar with the CDC on how the data and resources found via the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program can be utilized during a HIA. The webinar provided the participants a great opportunity to learn more about HIAs and hear examples of how the National Tracking Network is developing tools and resources that can assist local health departments as they conduct HIAs. View the webinar here »

Health Impact Assessment Course

"Planning for Healthy Places with Health Impact Assessments" is a how-to guide for conducting health impact assessments (HIAs). This online course will explain the value of conducting an HIA and the steps involved in conducting an HIA. More »

Health Impact Assessment: Quick Guide

This guide provides brief orientation to potential users of health impact assessment (HIA) who are working to create healthier living environments. Learn more »