December 12th, 2018
ntroduction
The way we design and build our neighborhoods can affect our physical and mental health. In this time of rising obesity rates, traffic congestion, long work hours, high stress levels, and fewer opportunities to be physical active, finding creative ways to address these issues is important. We must also consider the changing weather patterns and the possible impact on our way of life. All these factors stress the importance of designing and building healthy and vital communities that promote health.
To learn more about healthy community design, watch the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC), 15-minute video Building Healthy Communities at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/cdc_healthy_community_design_webserver/video_h.htm. You may also find helpful CDC’s Healthy Community Design fact sheet available at http://www.cdc.gov/healthy-places/factsheets/healthy_community_design_factsheet_final.pdf.
About the Resource Guide
This resource guide provides links to guides, checklists, audit tools, Web sites, and pamphlets that can help planners, local officials, and local citizens create vibrant neighborhoods where the healthy choice is the easy choice. The guide is structured to complement CDC’s Healthy Community Design Checklist (http://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/factsheets/healthy_commu-nity_checklist.pdf), including resources for each of the Checklist’s seven categories. The resource guide is a small sample of the many excellent resources available that address healthy community design.