Making the health connection

A gathering of policy makers and new urbanists explore how building compact and walkable communities can help improve public health. Unfortunately, poor urban design affects every aspect of life. Fortunately, surprising constituencies are now rallying to help improve our neighborhoods. Case in point: the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which works exclusively on public health and health care issues, recently convened a panel of experts to help them understand how community design can help improve public health through encouraging physical activity. The meeting, “Promoting Activity Through Community Design Movements,” took place November 27 and 28, 2000. CNU was represented by Director of Policy and Research Ellen Greenberg. Board member Judy Corbett was present on behalf of the Local Government Commission, and Design Task Force Chair Stephanie Bothwell was representing the American Institute of Architects. Other CNU members present included Harriet Tregoning, Maryland's Secretary of Planning; Bill Wilkinson, of the National Center for Bicycling and Walking; and Rich Killingsworth of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They were joined by many other allies: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the American Planning Association, the U.S. Department of Transportation, White House smart growth staff, the National Crime Prevention Council, and Walking Magazine. Benefits of physical activity Gretchen Williams Torres, a researcher with the Health Research and Educational Trust, outlined the overriding goal of the foundation’s work, writing in the meeting briefing book: “The scope of public health must expand to include the environments that contribute to chronic disease and poor health status in general in order to improve health.” The foundation is already convinced of the benefits of casual exercise. “Regular physical activity reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, colon cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, and non-insulin dependent diabetes,” Torres writes. “Additionally, physical activity improves mental health by reducing depression and anxiety and enhancing the ability to perform daily tasks throughout the life span. These can be lifestyle activities such as walking to and from work and school, gardening, and climbing stairs. Only 20 percent of youth ages 12 to 21 meet the moderate regular activity guidelines.” Healthy design strategies Torres is clearly in favor of what are called “ecological interventions.” She notes: “While one fourth of all trips is one mile or less, three-fourths are made by car.” She recognizes that suburban design conventions are the cause, and specifically identifies several strategies for integrating exercise into life: “Have sidewalks, on-street bicycle facilities, multi-use paths and trails, parks, open space, and recreational facilities; and promote mixed-use development and a connected grid of streets, allowing homes, work, schools, and stores to be close together and accessible by walking and bicycling.” The foundation is formulating a new program to support quality-of-life movements that create activity-boosting environments. These movements include smart growth, healthy communities, sustainable development, livable communities, and the New Urbanism. Torres describes “healthy communities” as a movement that uses a wide range of strategies to improve health, including: healthy cultural norms; education; safe and adequate housing, recreation, and culture; public safety; adequate wages; preventive care; and transportation. CNU will keep members up to date on any research findings, new funding resources, and innovative design strategies that arise from the foundation's efforts.