Resources

During recent years, NACCHO and APA have undertaken initiatives to ascertain the views of local planners and public health professionals on the connection between land use planning/community design and public health at the local level. Multidisciplinary focus groups examined chronic disease, social justice, traffic safety, and collaboration in general. Further, a national survey of planners and health officials was administered, and data are being triangulated by the CDC with data from NACCHO and the International City/County Management Association. More »

NACCHO and APA hosted series of conference calls for public health officials and planners interested in the connection between health and community design. Some of the key presentations included strategies, tools, and techniques used in the field to integrate health and planning in communities. More »

Children's health is affected by the built environment, which is any infrastructure that people come in contact with on a daily basis. Homes, schools, parks, roads, walkways, and businesses can cause injury, illness, and disability. Well-designed environments are important to ensure the best kind of child development. Research has shown poor environmental design can elevate the risk of asthma, pedestrian injuries, obesity, and exposures to toxins. More »

NACCHO and its partners offer several fact sheets, articles, and publications that specifically address the connection between health and built environment. More »