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Designing Sustainable and HealthY Communities Healthy Community Design was a concept that could break down the barriers between communities and their necessities by establishing convenience to schools , healthcare facilities , and other benefits that should be accessible ( CDC , 2014 ). This was implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ). While this initiative is no longer funded , the information provided can still serve value when determining how to improve communities .
BENEFITS
Increasing physical activity by placing schools , businesses , and other essentials within walkable distance
Reducing the use of transportation due to decreased distances
Improving community morale by implementing centers and spaces to increase communication
Community and street scale design interventions that improve walking and bicycling infrastructure lead to increases in physical activity . This could reduce the estimated annual medical cost of obesity ($ 147 billion in 2008 U . S . dollars ). 1 2
Developing healthy communities has been demonstrated to play an integral role in its residents ’ lives . These types of communities aid in decreasing the disparities experienced . There is a requirement to understand exactly what the community needs in order to develop a strategy to address these issues . It takes a village to make change , and support in understanding the needs of the community must come from community , local , state , and federal levels . Developing a healthy community is definitely possible . It just takes collaboration , strategy , and planning . Where people live has the ability to affect their overall quality of life . To ease associated stresses , communities can work together to create a more sustainable life .
LINK TO EXTENDED BLOG
1 The Guide to Community Preventive Services. Environmental and policy approaches to increase physical activity: community-scale urban design land use policies. Available from URL: http://www.thecommunityguide.org/pa/environmental-policy/communitypolicies.html [accessed 15 Oct 2014]. 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult obesity facts. Available from URL; http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html [accessed 15 Oct 2014].
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