Active Living in all Policies: How states and advocates can promote policy change supporting active living

Policy change supporting active living in communities is becoming essential in implementing better public health outcomes.  This session will provide innovative ideas on how to integrate active living into policies at all levels of a community as a means to implement active living efforts.  In the last three years, the presenting team has provided technical assistance to communities in the northwest Indiana Chicago metro region that promote active living policy change as a public health intervention. The session speakers will explain how these efforts support active living in all policies that lead to documented changes to the built environment, supporting expanded opportunities for physical activity and better health outcomes. Case studies of policy change will be presented in detail, along with an explanation of the documented outcomes of these policies.    

Speakers will present examples of educational and technical assistance programs that use planning and design processes combined with public health approaches to address policy change promoting active living. These unique programs incorporate design and planning professionals in partnership with public health professionals to create a unified approach for policy changes effecting the built environment.  The session presenters will explain how to identify and involve key decision-makers as part of the education and promotional programs to garner better policy implementation. 

Another important element of this work is evaluation and monitoring after the policy change intervention. Session presenters will provide a step-by-step approach to establishing long-term relationships with communities to help foster lasting change to policies and the built environment.