Healthy Communities Policy

Public health policies provide a framework to address health problems – a framework of shared vision, priorities, planning, goals and decision-making and collaborative multi-agency efforts. Public health policies can address a range of factors that impact health, from tobacco control to vaccinations, to school nutrition, physical activity and healthy environments.

Healthy Communities policies link public health benefits to community design. There is double value when local governments and decision-makers incorporate physical activity opportunities and access to healthy foods into policies that address land use, transportation, education and agriculture. “Healthy community design” means designing and planning development that achieves both community goals, such as economic development, and community health goals, such as ensuring safe walking and biking paths that support physical activity. Policy examples include Farm-to-School programs, Complete Streets, Safe Routes to School, and Community Gardens.