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SUBJECTS › HEALTH › HEALTHY COMMUNITIES › What is a Healthy Community?
Updated 10/08

What is a Healthy Community?

Contents

Definitions of a Healthy Community

There are many definitions of a healthy community. The Healthy People 2010 strategy describes a healthy community as one which include those elements that enable people to maintain a high quality of life and productivity. Some of the elements described in Healthy People in Healthy Communities A Community Planning Guide Using Healthy People 2010, include access to health care services that focus on both treatment and prevention for all members of the community; a safe community; the presence of roads, schools, playgrounds, and other services to meet the needs of the people in that community; and a healthy community has a healthy and safe environment. The Centers for Disease Control defines healthy communities in its Designing and Building Healthy Places page as "A community that is continuously creating and improving those physical and social environments and expanding those community resources that enable people to mutually support each other in performing all the functions of life and in developing to their maximum potential"

Organizations Promoting Healthy Communities

Various strategies for healthy communities have been advocated for many years by several organizations. They include:

  • Center for Livable Communities - The Center for Livable Communities is a national initiative of the Local Government Commission (LGC). A nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization of elected officials, city and county staff, and other interested individuals throughout California and other states, the Local Government Commission helps local governments identify and implement solutions to today's problems.
  • CityNet  - CityNet is a World Health Organization (WHO), Collaborating Center in Healthy Cities. CityNet's Mission is to provide information that will encourage communities to build a safe and healthy environment within urban areas.
  • Healthy Communities Initiatives - Over the past ten years, the National Civic League has been helping communities across the country pull together to improve their quality of life. The NCL staff can assist communities by providing training in healthy communities principles, practices & tools; designing and facilitating short and long-term healthy communities planning projects; helping communities create a shared vision for the future by engaging citizens, local government, business and non-profits; and connecting communities to a national network of healthy communities innovators at the local, state and national levels.
  • International Healthy Cities Foundation - The International Healthy Cities Foundation was created to assist people and groups from many different sectors. The mission of the IHCF is to facilitate linkages among people, issues and resources in order to support the development of Healthy Cities initiatives.
  • Sustainable Communities Network - The SCN website connects citizens with the resources they need to implement innovative processes and programs to restore the economic, environmental, and social health and vitality of their communities. It addresses a wide range of issues related to community sustainability, including creating communities, living sustainably, and governing communities. In addition it offers case studies, resources, links to relevant websites, events calendar, and suggested reading.
  • State Program  Links

Additional Reference Sources