Built Environment

The built environment refers to how we as individuals and collectively as a people have changed the natural environment, and this built environment has a tremendous impact on our health. Streets, buildings, freeways, parking lots, businesses and homes of all types are what typically come to mind, but there are also parks, playgrounds, gardens, and farms that are part of the built environment. Transportation systems, land use, and zoning policies can support active living and healthy eating. For instance, adults who use mass transit are more physically active, and adults with longer commutes are less physically active; children living in "greener" communities are thinner; children with access to outdoor play get more physical activity, as are children that walk (rather than are driven) to school.

Potential Policy Improvements

1. Institute "complete streets": Outcomes of a complete streets policy would include increasing the connectedness in pedestrian and biking routes, increasing/adjusting the number of seconds that traffic lights allow for pedestrian crossing, and improving the infrastructure of sidewalks and bike lanes/canals for safety. Having complete streets also supports the use of public transit, such as the bus system and Light Rail. Not only would policies supporting complete streets increase activity and reduce obesity, but complete streets also support the abatement of environmental emissions.

2. Establish protocol and reserve public funding for "mixed use" facilities: An example of a mixed use facility would be an elementary school which is open after regular school hours for recreational use. This may include the playground, sports facilities and/or equipment, and could even include indoor spaces for when the Arizona climate does not support outdoor recreation. Allotting funds for this mixed-use could enhance the spaces, whether aesthetically, or for comfort (such as providing ample shade), and support its use by addressing pubic safety concerns by providing adult and/or police supervision.

3. Alter zoning policies to support provision of healthy foods: Zoning regulation could include specific incentives for smaller "convenience" stores which offer healthy food alternatives and fresh produce. Another example of such a policy would be instituting a zoning policy which limits fast food restaurants within a certain distance of schools.

4. Implement "Smart Growth" procedures: Smart Growth planning includes a variety of methods which are environmentally friendly, attractive, and supportive to active living. Smart Growth includes building upon and improvement existing infrastructure, rather than contributing to "urban sprawl". The philosophy also integrates complete streets, and has a greater mix of residential, business, school, and shopping districts, while preserving open space.

Resources/Literature

• American Public Health Association. At the Intersection of Public Health and Transportation: Promoting Healthy Transportation Policy.

• Association of State & Territorial Public Health Nutrition Directors (ASTPHND) Cornerstones of a Healthy Lifestyle: Blueprint for Nutrition & Physical Activity.

• American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Environmental Health. The Built Environment: Designing Communities to Promote Physical Activity in Children Policy Statement. Pediatrics 2009;123;1591-1598.

• Bell JF, Wilson JS, Liu GC. Neighborhood Greenness and 2-Year Changes in body Mass Index of Chilren and Youth. Am J Prev Med 2008;(6):547-553.

• Lee V, Mikkelsen, L, Srikantharajah, J, and Cohen L. Promising Strategies for Creating Healthy Eating and Active Living Environments. Oakland, CA: Prevention Institute, 2008.

• Mikkelsen LV, Srikantharajah J, Cohen L. Strategies for Enhancing the Built Environment to Support Healthy Eating and Active Living. Oakland, CA: Prevention Institute, 2008.

• Ninety-First Arizona Town Hall, October 28-31, 2007 Land Use: Challenges And Choices For The 21st Century Background Report

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, "Physical Activity Among Low-Income Children and Youth.