Health as a framework for comprehensive planning: Case studies and best practices

Since 2010, the American Planning Association has worked with CDC to examine the inclusion of public health goals within comprehensive plans and plan implementation. This research identifies best practices for effectively integrating public health goals into plans and successful approaches to cross-sectoral collaboration and community partnerships. Based upon in-depth case studies in seven jurisdictions from across the country, this work examines how Active Living, Environmental Exposures, Food/Nutrition, Health Services and Social/Mental Health are addressed through planning. Using primary sources, including extensive interviews with planners, parks officials, funders, and community organizers, this research is the first of its kind to qualitatively assess how health is discussed and operationalized through local level planning. Conclusions from the study show that leadership building across disciplines—both within government agencies and among government, CBOs, and foundations—leads to the most comprehensive coverage of health-related policies. The use of health data (crash, chronic disease, crime rates) and information on the distribution and accessibility of services and amenities (clinical, transit, retail, recreation) bolsters plans, creates tracking mechanisms, and makes them more relatable to the general public. Such practices also lead to more timely, successful implementation. Highlights from case studies exemplify how local government agencies can build upon partnerships for assistance and resources to translate a comprehensive plan from a policy document into a set of actions to improve community health. As built environment factors increasingly determine public health outcomes, this research offers a clear and targeted avenue for intervention at the highest level of built environment planning.