Policy Press
1 Evidence case for action
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Abstract
The place in which we live matters to health. This chapter reflects on how the built and natural environment of our neighbourhoods, towns and cities impacts on health and wellbeing, and considers the conditions required to maximise health. These wider determinants of health set the conditions for good health and result from a complex interplay of biological, behavioural, social and environmental factors. There is an increasingly robust public health evidence base upon which to make these assertions and that, in turn, provides a guide to actions that can be taken to improve health and wellbeing through the design and quality of the built environment by means of spatial planning. This chapter sets the wider context by considering the evidence base underpinning the association between the environment and health in the context of the wider determinants, and suggests how this can underpin planning for healthy places.
Abstract
The place in which we live matters to health. This chapter reflects on how the built and natural environment of our neighbourhoods, towns and cities impacts on health and wellbeing, and considers the conditions required to maximise health. These wider determinants of health set the conditions for good health and result from a complex interplay of biological, behavioural, social and environmental factors. There is an increasingly robust public health evidence base upon which to make these assertions and that, in turn, provides a guide to actions that can be taken to improve health and wellbeing through the design and quality of the built environment by means of spatial planning. This chapter sets the wider context by considering the evidence base underpinning the association between the environment and health in the context of the wider determinants, and suggests how this can underpin planning for healthy places.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and tables v
- List of insider stories viii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Glossary x
- Acknowledgements xii
- Introduction 1
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Scene setting
- Evidence case for action 17
- Policy and professional skills context 35
- Current state of planning for health 50
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Health, wellbeing and equity impacts
- Health in All Policies 71
- Health Impact Assessment in planning 84
- Health in other impact assessments 100
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Actions to improve practice
- Health and wellbeing in planning policy 127
- Health and wellbeing in planning decisions 143
- Rise of the public health spatial planning practitioner 159
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Health benefits and outcomes
- Value and outcomes 187
- Securing value 207
- Concluding reflections 231
- Practical resources 239
- References 240
- Index 267
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and tables v
- List of insider stories viii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Glossary x
- Acknowledgements xii
- Introduction 1
-
Scene setting
- Evidence case for action 17
- Policy and professional skills context 35
- Current state of planning for health 50
-
Health, wellbeing and equity impacts
- Health in All Policies 71
- Health Impact Assessment in planning 84
- Health in other impact assessments 100
-
Actions to improve practice
- Health and wellbeing in planning policy 127
- Health and wellbeing in planning decisions 143
- Rise of the public health spatial planning practitioner 159
-
Health benefits and outcomes
- Value and outcomes 187
- Securing value 207
- Concluding reflections 231
- Practical resources 239
- References 240
- Index 267
