Web-based tool to assist local jurisdictions to integrate health into community planning

This session will introduce and demonstrate the use of an innovative web-based toolbox (using best practices and research-based evidence) to enable local planning and health agencies to integrate health policies and interventions into the planning process, enable built environment outcomes and build healthy communities. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is proactively assisting the 24 local jurisdictions incorporate health into community plans via its web-based toolkit, from early visioning through plan development, adoption and implementation and ongoing monitoring. Using the local communities' definition of healthy communities (healthy and sustainable places built on a balanced foundation of people-prosperity-planet), the toolbox enables each jurisdiction to select tools to address their local health needs which were identified in their community assessments. Using logic models for six health interventions (physical activity, healthy foods, safety and injury, placemaking, access to opportunity and natural environment), evidence-based intervention tools were identified which produce outcomes leading to healthy communities. New skills and methods for planners and health officials include: • Increased awareness of health disparities and equity issues • A balanced “people-prosperity-planet” framework • Smart growth best practices and tools for each phase of the planning process • Inclusion of “vulnerable” populations throughout the planning process to address disparities • Introduction of evidence-based methods and research-based justifications for actions.