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Healthy Places for Children: The Critical Role of Engagement, Common Vision, and Collaboration

Author

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  • Mildred E. Warner

    (Department of City and Regional Planning, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
    Department of Global Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA)

  • Xue Zhang

    (Department of City and Regional Planning, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
    Department of Global Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA)

Abstract

Planning plays a critical role in promoting healthy communities for children. We conducted a national survey of United States (US) cities and counties in 2019 and found only half of the 1312 responding communities report they give attention to the needs of children in their community plans. Those that do, provide more services and have more child-friendly zoning codes. We use a human ecological framework to build structural equation models of child-friendly zoning and services. We find communities with more engagement of families with children and youth and a common vision across generational, race, and ethnic lines report higher levels of child-friendly zoning and services. Collaboration between health providers and schools builds trust and leads to more services. However, child-friendly zoning is lower in communities with higher child poverty, and in suburbs and rural areas. Our results support a dynamic human ecological model where the processes of collaboration, inclusion, and engagement are key to creating healthy places for children. These processes may be especially important in addressing the unique challenges of suburban and rural communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Mildred E. Warner & Xue Zhang, 2020. "Healthy Places for Children: The Critical Role of Engagement, Common Vision, and Collaboration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9277-:d:460607
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nisha D. Botchwey & Nick Johnson & L. Katie O’Connell & Anna J. Kim, 2019. "Including Youth in the Ladder of Citizen Participation," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 85(3), pages 255-270, July.
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    3. Yusheng Zhou & Christoph Buck & Werner Maier & Thomas von Lengerke & Ulla Walter & Maren Dreier, 2020. "Built Environment and Childhood Weight Status: A Multi-Level Study Using Population-Based Data in the City of Hannover, Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Xue Zhang & Mildred E. Warner & Elaine Wethington, 2020. "Can Age-Friendly Planning Promote Equity in Community Health Across the Rural-Urban Divide in the US?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-16, February.
    5. Melanie Davern & Rachel Winterton & Kathleen Brasher & Geoff Woolcock, 2020. "How Can the Lived Environment Support Healthy Ageing? A Spatial Indicators Framework for the Assessment of Age-Friendly Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-20, October.
    6. Xue Zhang & Mildred E. Warner & Stephanie Firestone, 2019. "Overcoming Barriers to Livability for All Ages: Inclusivity Is the Key," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(2), pages 31-42.
    7. Karen Villanueva & Hannah Badland & Robert Tanton & Ilan Katz & Sally Brinkman & Ju-Lin Lee & Geoffrey Woolcock & Billie Giles-Corti & Sharon Goldfeld, 2019. "Local Housing Characteristics Associated with Early Childhood Development Outcomes in Australian Disadvantaged Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-17, May.
    8. Xi Wang & Jennifer Whittaker & Katherine Kellom & Stephanie Garcia & Deanna Marshall & Tara Dechert & Meredith Matone, 2020. "Integrating the Built and Social Environment into Health Assessments for Maternal and Child Health: Creating a Planning-Friendly Index," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-18, December.
    9. Yucel Can Severcan, 2015. "Planning for the Unexpected: Barriers to Young People's Participation in Planning in Disadvantaged Communities," International Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(3), pages 251-269, August.
    10. Amalie Lambert & Janae Vlaar & Susan Herrington & Mariana Brussoni, 2019. "What Is the Relationship between the Neighbourhood Built Environment and Time Spent in Outdoor Play? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-35, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mikyung Baek & Michael B. Outrich & Kierra S. Barnett & Jason Reece, 2021. "Neighborhood-Level Lead Paint Hazard for Children under 6: A Tool for Proactive and Equitable Intervention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Lingyi Qiu & Xuemei Zhu, 2021. "Housing and Community Environments vs. Independent Mobility: Roles in Promoting Children’s Independent Travel and Unsupervised Outdoor Play," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Xue Zhang & Mildred E. Warner, 2023. "Linking Urban Planning, Community Environment, and Physical Activity: A Socio-Ecological Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Geoffrey Babughirana & Sanne Gerards & Alex Mokori & Isaac Charles Baigereza & Alex Mukembo & Grace Rukanda & Stef P. J. Kremers & Jessica Gubbels, 2021. "Can the Timed and Targeted Counseling Model Improve the Quality of Maternal and Newborn Health Care? A Process Analysis in the Rural Hoima District in Uganda," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-15, April.
    5. Xue Zhang & Mildred E. Warner, 2020. "COVID-19 Policy Differences across US States: Shutdowns, Reopening, and Mask Mandates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-17, December.
    6. Jason Reece, 2021. "More Than Shelter: Housing for Urban Maternal and Infant Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-17, March.

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