Healthy communities embrace the belief that health is more than the absence of disease. Such communities:

• Provide environments in which all residents feel safe at work, school, play, and worship, as well as when they shop and do business.
• Invest in roads and walkways safe for human-powered transport.
• Invest in recreational fields, playgrounds, and recreational trails.
• Develop programs that monitor and maintain environmental quality.
• Ensure access to an affordable, nutritious diet for all residents.
• Ensure access to health-care services that focus on disease prevention, as well as treatment, for all.
• Teem with citizen-led organizations that promote health.

Healthy People 2010 seeks to increase life expectancy and quality of life by helping individuals gain the knowledge, motivation, and opportunities they need to make informed decisions about their health. At the same time, Healthy People 2010 encourages local and State leaders to develop communitywide and statewide efforts that promote healthy behaviors, create healthy environments, and increase access to high-quality health care. Learn More...

Assess the health of your community using the Livable Walkable Community Toolkit.