CityHealth

Last year, 61% of America’s 75 largest cities earned an overall medal for their health-forward policies—an increase from 49% in 2022. From access to greenspace to safe streets and sidewalks, here’s how those policies are improving health and well-being in U.S. cities: https://lnkd.in/e9x6FcTk

Streets should be designed and maintained to meet all our needs. Whether you walk, bike, roll, drive, or use public transit, we all deserve streets that are safe, irrespective of our mode of transportation. A Complete Streets approach can help your community make this vision a reality. Explore our new interactive, created in collaboration with Smart Growth America, to learn how: https://lnkd.in/e6eMmDUg

A new study from our partners at Kaiser Permanente shows the connection between increased greenspace and cleaner air, and improved mental and physical health. “We should walk, run, bike, and visit places with as much green space as possible. People who do this tend to have fewer health conditions and better mental health states,” says Stephen Van Den Eeden, research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research. We’re proud to partner with local leaders and advocates working to expand access to #greenspace through public policy, which is an important path to creating healthier communities for city residents. https://lnkd.in/ezj3nBAq

A growing body of research shows that evictions are not just a consequence of poverty but also a cause of future hardship, contributing to poor health outcomes for renters and their communities. Policies that provide legal support to renters is one solution to limiting the harm of evictions on residents’ mental and physical health. https://lnkd.in/eUE6bYRa

You may be careful about the food you put in your body – but what about the containers and cutlery you use while you’re eating? Eco-friendly purchasing policies promote sourcing foodware products that limit our exposure to harmful chemicals found in styrofoam and other foodware materials. https://lnkd.in/gyv7cFc5

No one deserves to work in a setting that is harmful to their health—and one way to ensure this protection is through smoke-free indoor air policies, which local leaders can enact to safeguard all residents’ health. Learn how cities like New Orleans are going smoke-free for their communities’ well-being. https://lnkd.in/eCJ23qHv

Eviction is a major equity issue. Tenants of color disproportionately face eviction, and in particular, Black women face eviction filing twice as often as white renters. A right to counsel in eviction proceedings, combined with a robust outreach campaign, can help ensure that communities of color have access to legal representation, which is a demonstrably effective intervention in eviction matters. Legal support for renters policies help keep people safe in their homes, regardless of race, ability or background. https://lnkd.in/epWhscAU

Keeping residents housed is one way to help keep them healthy, too. Learn how New Orleans city leaders, including Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Councilmember Helena Moreno, partnered with legal services and local advocates to help residents remain safe in their homes, keep their records free from evictions, and reduce rent debt. https://lnkd.in/d2sXBpJZ

Public Pre-K programs provide a safe place for children to learn, play, and grow—while also benefiting their health both directly and indirectly. Read about the policies cities are implementing to ensure more children have access to early education: https://lnkd.in/gb98_b6P

What city do you call home? Explore this map to find your city & read about the health-forward policies your leaders have implemented for you and your community: https://lnkd.in/eDFb8TSj