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Karen Roof, KRoof EnviroHealth Consulting, 720 S. Colorado Blvd, Suite 970-S, Denver, CO 80246, 3037569090, kbenn@neha.org
Land use decisions have a tremendous impact on a wide range of health and environmental issues from obesity, physical inactivity, traffic and pedestrian safety, to air quality, water quality, environmental injustice, and psychological stress. Land use planning decisions have a direct bearing on access to health care, housing, jobs, and overall quality of life of citizens.
Given the range of health implications related to land use and community design, it is pertinent that health considerations are an integral part of any land use planning process. This interactive presentation will provide: 1) a step-by-step process for health officials to develop a land use program; 2) examples of health impact assessments; and 3) results from a national survey from local, state, federal, and university health professionals. Health impact assessments are potentially an effective means of addressing public health considerations early in the land use planning process by identifying the health risks and developing options and solutions for proposed development and transportation projects. The national survey focuses on answering questions such as: is this an important issue and how involved are environmental health professionals in this issue; where does funding to work on this issue come from; and how often do environmental health professionals meet with their local planning agency.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.