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Subjects › Health › Healthy Communities › Building Healthy Communities
Updated 01/2010

Building Healthy Communities

Activity and Program Resources for Washington Local Governments

Contents

About Building Healthy Communities

The process of building healthy communities covers many topics. In addition to the objectives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's Healthy People 2010, the Washington legislature passed Laws of 2005, ch. 360 (ESSB 5186), which sets out a policy for promoting physical activity through urban planning and transportation approaches. County and city comprehensive plans are directed, wherever possible, to utilize urban planning approaches that promote physical activity. The state Park and Recreation Commission has a role to maintain policies that increase the number of people who have access to free or low-cost recreational opportunities for physical activity, including noncompetitive physical activity. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is to promote the adoption of school-based curricula and policies that provide quality, daily physical education for all students, and to encourage policies that provide all students with opportunities for physical activity outside of formal physical education classes

This page provides links to general information resources. See the listing under Related MRSC Pages for other elements cited by Healthy People 2020 and Washington's policy on promoting physical activity. If you have suggested additions for this page, please contact the page editor.

Promoting and Building Healthy Communities

Health Promotion and Educational Activities

Accommodating People with Disabilities

Nutrition and Food Security - Healthy Eating

Improving the diet and eliminating trans fats are part of the federal Healthy People Initiative. Most of the state and local policies appear to focus on school meal programs and restrictions on school vendors reducing "junk food," which generally/often has high fat content. The city of Seattle passed an ordinance regarding vending around schools. A few cities around the county appear to have proposed legislation regarding the reduction of trans fats in food offered to the public, and there appear to be some voluntary programs in place. Washington cities may not have the authority to deal with trans fats, but county health departments may be able to venture into this area.

General

Legislation

Washington State Legislature

  • Laws of 2008, ch. 215 (SB 6483) (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Created four programs: a Washington Grown Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant Program administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; a Farmers Market Technology Improvement Pilot Program administered by the Department of Social and Health Services; and a Farmers to Food Banks Pilot Program administered by the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (now the Washington State Department of Commerce).
  • Laws of 2004, ch. 138 (SB 5436) (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Required school districts in Washington State to adopt wellness policies regarding nutrition and physical activity

Washington State Local Government Provisions

Out-of-State

  • New York City Health Department Healthy Heart - Avoid Trans Fat - On December 5, 2006, the Board of Health approved an amendment to the Health Code to phase out artificial trans fat in all NYC restaurants and other food service establishments. Includes links to regulations.

Transportation Planning - Walkable Communities