Introduction to Healthy Communities

This course provides an overview of the healthy community movement and the relationship between health and planning. The course starts with a snapshot of the health epidemic occurring in the United States and the need to address health outcomes during planning processes. Also included is a history of health in planning and an overview of the known relationships between health outcomes and the built environment. The course concludes with a "how-to" guide of the various tools that address health in the planning process, including comprehensive plans, zoning, design guidelines, health data, mapping, and health impact assessments. Participants will gain a broad understanding health and planning and how to apply the tools to work in their community.