Community design and public policies can have a significant
impact on public health. Many health risks pose threats to the
long-term vitality and productivity of cities; for example, by
one calculation, the rising obesity epidemic incurs an annual
direct and indirect cost of $147 billion. By addressing public
health challenges, cities can improve quality of life and
strengthen their economies. Local leaders are recognizing the
role of urban food systems, zoning codes, bicycle and pedestrian
infrastructure, public transit, air and water quality, and green
space on residents’ health and wellbeing. NLC is helping cities
identify and remove barriers to healthy, sustainable
communities. Healthy People, Healthy Places - Building
Sustainable Communities Through Active Living (2011) The ways in
which we shape our built environment-including the range of
transportation options, provision of open space, and
accessibility to places of work, education, or basic services-
contributes to the physical health of our communiti