A model to embed health outcomes into land-use planning

Research links public health outcomes to the built environment. What is not clear is how and to what degree public health agencies can partner with local governments to influence development patterns and urban design. Public health programs tend to emphasis mandated responsibilities such as air quality or waste management. Yet the most beneficial long-term outcomes of improving our built environments -- reductions in the prevalence of chronic diseases and injuries, improved senior's health, healthier childhood environments -- are affected more by non-mandated aspects of a public health agency's role. British Columbia developed model core programs in public health and the recommendations in the program development resulted in a health authority creating a model for reinventing their role in land-use planning. The Health Authority developed standard approaches for land development using a public health lens based on seven dimensions. The model included developing partnerships with stakeholders-- local and provincial governments, agencies and the public -- to support the creation of healthier built environments. This paper discusses the initial steps to date and future plans. It includes a summation of two years of practical application of the processes and procedures developed to incorporate health as an explicit expectation of planning and development.