Built Environment and Health

This article proposes a framework for analyzing the health impacts of community development initiatives to help facilitate collaboration between planners and public health experts. It includes four elements:

1. Identify population health status and needs
2. Consider neighborhood features that influence health
3. Identify and implement building design features that support health
4. Engage the community to build capacity and respond to health concerns and needs.

Exhibit 1 shares actions to optimize health.