The communities in which we live can help us lead healthier lives, but only if efforts are made to encourage us to do so. Neighborhoods can either promote or inadvertently discourage the wellness of residents. Healthy communities are places where residents are safe to walk or bike, children and adults can enjoy the parks, shoppers can purchase wholesome food, and everyone knows about the benefits of physical activity and healthy eating.
Communities affect the health of their residents in a number of ways.
First, the physical layout of towns — the “built environment” — influences the amount and kinds of activities that are pursued by individuals. Research has shown that more densely built, compact development allows residents to be physically active during the normal course of their day. Poorly designed communities hinder walking, biking and other physical activity.
If community residents are going to make the decision to use their bodies rather than their cars, certain conditions need to exist. People must have access to sidewalks that are in good condition and properly lighted, roadways that can be shared by bikers and crossed by walkers, and neighborhoods that are safe and aesthetically pleasing. By using traffic calming techniques — ways that allow walkers, bikers and drivers to share the road — and by implementing comprehensive pedestrian and/or bicycle plans, communities can improve the walking and biking environment.
Second, communities can work to provide some simple amenities that encourage residents to adopt active habits. To support walking, let community residents know the location of the best (and most interesting) routes. Utilize (and improve) existing infrastructure and develop walking routes throughout your community. Communities can produce municipal walking maps to advertise optimal route locations.
Finally, communities can influence the health of the residents by aggressively targeting obesity and sedentary lifestyle through organized efforts to get people moving. Efforts, such as walking town meetings, awareness campaigns and community challenges, all provide ways to communicate to residents about the opportunities for physical activity that exist right in one’s own neighborhood.
