179450 Development of a Health Assessment Tool: An innovative approach to health promotion through collaboration between public health and urban planning

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 5:15 PM

Gayle Bursey, RD, BASc, MES , Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Region of Peel Public Health, Brampton, ON, Canada
Bhavna Sivanand, MPH , Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Region of Peel Public Health, Brampton, ON, Canada
     
Objective:

The purpose of this research and policy initiative is to develop an evidence-based prototype Health Assessment Tool that systematically identifies the public health impact of built environments. Using local data, the Tool aims to quantifiably comment on the health promoting potential of municipal block and secondary plans in the Region of Peel, Ontario.

Approach:

Health indicators such as physical activity levels, BMI, incidence of chronic and respiratory illnesses, and planning data such as land use, green space, recreational facilities, pedestrian amenities and transit use will be obtained from sources such as the Canadian Community Health Survey, Transportation Tomorrow Survey, Cordon Counts and GIS maps of roads, sidewalks, parks and trails. These indicators will be layered for Peel Region to develop a tool that can scrutinize proposed design plans on their residential density, land use mix, street connectivity and ultimate walkability.

Results:

The Tool will be used to assess healthy community design at the macro level of block and secondary plans as well as to comment on the health promoting potential of local neighborhoods. In addition, the Tool would have the power to influence planning and policy decisions at the municipal and regional level and contribute to the development of alternate design plans and guidelines.

Discussion:

The Health Assessment Tool is complex, incorporating the design elements of urban development with the risk factors for chronic disease. Such a tool has the potential to effect systems change by engaging multiple sectors to dramatically increase the health-promoting ability of built environments.

Learning Objectives:
1. Articulate the relationships between land development policies and actions, and their consequent impacts on population health 2. Gain knowledge about the development of a Health Assessment Tool that will systematically identify the health impacts of land development and municipal design plans 3. Engage in rich discussion on the political and programmatic implications of implementing the Health Assessment Tool in practice

Keywords: Public Health Policy, Chronic Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have decision-making authority on creation and implementation of the project. I have full ownership of the abstract contents as it is my own creation.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Health Impact Assessment: State and National Policies
See more of: Environment