Departments
Mayor's Office
Healthy Communities Initative
The Healthy Communities Initiative promotes the idea of creating, community-based participatory processes to improving community life. A healthy communities approach employs community development strategies and involves a wide range of local institutions, community groups and private citizens, as well as health professionals, in efforts to improve the conditions that encourage and support healthy living. The process re-engages citizens in helping realize their visions for a healthier community and makes a positive change in its overall quality of life. The outcome is a physical and civic environment that promotes healthy individuals in healthy communities.
The Healthy Communities set of variables: peace, shelter, education, food, income, a stable ecosystem, sustainable resources, social justice and equity. Basic to the healthy communities approach is the process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health, with health defined as a resource for everyday life.