Healthy Community Element City of South Gate General Plan 2035 (adopted 12/08/09)

General Plan Elements Vision and Guiding Principles Community Design Element Mobility Element Economic Element Green City Element Housing Element Healthy Community Element Public Facilities and Services Element Noise Element

PARTNERSHIP Work on the Healthy Community Element (including an existing conditions report & three public workshops on health in South Gate) was funded by the Kaiser Foundation and was a collaborative effort between the:  City of South Gate  Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH)  Public Health Law & Policy  Transportation and Land Use Collaborative (TLUC)  Raimi + Associates

INTRODUCTION The increased prevalence of chronic diseases in the United States, including diabetes, obesity, heart disease & respiratory illnesses has been widely recognized as one of the major social and economic challenges. Recent research has found that people’s environments – where they live and work, how they travel, what they eat and where and when they play, socialize, and are physically active – have a major impact on their health and well-being. In response to these issues, the General Plan includes this Healthy Community Element, which provides policy direction for improving health for South Gate residents.

PUBLIC OUTREACH In preparation for this Healthy Community Element, South Gate conducted three public workshops to:  educate residents about the relationship between planning and health,  to better understand the community’s priorities for health, and  to provide an opportunity for citizens to discuss their concerns about the overall health in the community, healthy eating & access to nutritious foods, and the quality and safety of the pedestrian environment. Over 100 people attended these workshops. The data gathered at these workshops directly informed the content of the Healthy Community Element.

KEY ISSUES AND CHALLENGES High Rates of Overweight and Obese Residents (68%) Barriers to Physical Activity Lack of Access to Nutritious Foods Lack of Access to Health Care Unsafe Streets for Walking, Driving, and Cycling Poor Air Quality due to proximity to major roads & industrial Vulnerable Populations (32% uninsured)

Location of Healthy & Unhealthy Food Sources

Parcels within 500 feet of a designated truck route

KEY COMMUNITY CONCEPTS Promote Land Use and Transportation Decisions that Support Healthy Lifestyles Provide Easy and Affordable Access to Nutritious Foods Make City Actions a Model for Good Health Focus on Preventative Care Strengthen Social Networks through Land Use Decisions Promote Access to Health Care Minimize Potential Health Impacts of Natural and Manmade Disasters and Hazards

Where we are now Comprehensive Zoning Update Economic Development - Hospital Food Retailers Transportation Programs Wellness Policy/Nutrition Programs City-wide Bicycle Plan Parks Master Plan Recreation Activity Programs

Contact Us Steve Lefever Community Development Director (323)