A person's health is a product of their environment. As such, a healthy community is one in which all residents have access to a quality education, safe and healthy homes, adequate employment, transportation, physical activity, and nutrition, in addition to quality health care.
Communities that are attentive to public health can even reduce inequality among their residents. “[Community health] also helps to reduce health gaps caused by differences in race and ethnicity, location, social status, income and other factors that can affect health,” reports the CDC.
Healthy community design can provide many advantages:
Promote physical activity.
Promote a diet free of additives, preservatives, and pesticides.
Improve air quality.
Lower risk of injuries.
Increase social connection and sense of community.
Reduce contributions to climate change.
