28 Jan 2009
Whether you live in a city, a suburb or a small rural town, the way your community is designed affects your health. If your built environment - streets, sidewalks, buildings, parks and houses, for example – is poorly designed, it can negatively impact on your level of physical activity, air quality and your safety and wellbeing.
Consider your community. Does it have a park close by, which can help you and your family be active and add to your sense of wellbeing? Do you have sidewalks or bike lanes that make it safe to walk or cycle, which in turn can increase physical activity and reduce obesity? Is there a grocery store in your area that provides access to nutritious affordable food?
Residential areas located far away from shops, services and schools mean that people have to drive to do their daily business. More driving means more vehicles on the road. This increases the risk of injuries due to motor vehicle collisions and results in increased emissions that contribute to air pollution. And the more time spent driving means less time to be involved in family, recreation or community activities.
The built environment can also affect your overall feelings of wellbeing and social connectedness. Communities that include playgrounds, that have places for people to meet and that are clean and safe, generally make people feel good about living there. Knowing your neighbours and being involved in community activities can increase your sense of satisfaction and happiness.
Many people wonder what they can do to influence healthy changes in their community. Here are some suggestions:
- Get to know your neighbourhood and the people who live around you
- Walk or cycle more (or use public transit if it’s available) and drive your car less, including to work. Try to live closer to your place of work to minimize your travel and consider other ways of commuting to work, including car pooling
- Support your local farmers’ market and buy locally grown produce at your grocery store
- Join a local trails association, service club or environmental group that is involved in healthy community initiatives
- Talk to recreation staff about offering programs and facilities in the community that create opportunities to socialize
- Start a community garden
- Join your community policing committee to increase safety and residents’ peace-of-mind
- Plant a tree… or two or three
- Pick up garbage and recycle
- Conserve energy
- Don’t idle your vehicle.
You can also speak out for healthy changes in your community by getting involved in the local planning process. Municipalities must consult the public when they review their official plans or make decisions about zoning by-laws and applications for land severance and subdivisions. Take the opportunity to participate in local planning consultations and/or to provide written comment. Your voice is important.
For more information about Healthy Places, Healthy People, visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org or call Your Health Connection weekdays at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520.
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