The Connection Between Health and Urban Planning Citizen Planning Academy October 22, 2013

What is Public Health? Concern for and focus on the health of the community Active protection of our nations’ health Example: foodborne illness What other examples can you think of? - 2 -

How Does Public Health Matter? The ten great public health achievements in the 20 th century:  Immunizations  Motor-vehicle safety  Safer workplaces  Control of infectious disease - 3 -

 Decline in deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke  Safer and healthier foods  Healthier mothers and babies  Family planning  Fluoridation of drinking water  Recognition of tobacco use as a health hazard - 4 -

What Areas Does Our Public Health Department Address? Public Health has two primary divisions: Primary Care & Family Health, and Community Health  Primary Care & Family Health provides direct health care to low-income residents  Community Health provides community based or population based services - 5 -

What is on the Horizon? 3 – 4 – 50 The 3 behaviors, impact 4 chronic conditions which account for more than 50% of deaths Climate change impacts health Health Care Reform - 6 -

What are the Key Roles in the Era of Health Care Reform? Prevent epidemics and the spread of disease Plan for and respond to public health emergencies Promote and encourage healthy behaviors Protect the health of the community through environmental health inspections - 7 -

What is the Intersection of Public Health and Planning? Planning strategies can reduce the risk of injury while also increasing walking, bicycling and access to public transit Increasing walkability and physical activity in environments minimizes factors that contribute to chronic diseases - 8 -

Active design, stairs, elevators, and indoor and outdoor spaces Compact, mixed use residential environments promote physical activity Decreasing auto transportation will have positive health impacts - 9 -

Air quality: 130,000 – 340,000 premature deaths are attributable to ground level ozone & fine particulate matter pollutants annually Land use policy that preserves agriculture lands supports healthy eating of locally grown food Incorporate public health strategies into local land use, transportation, and community design: cross-walks, lighting, bicycle lanes, and traffic controls

What are the Takeaway Messages about Public Health & Planning? Public health focuses on the community and health of the larger population Health is greatly impacted by diet, physical activity and tobacco use Urban planning and active design directly impacts community health and key behaviors