IPH action areas in health inequalities - developing healthy and sustainable communities
How do living environments and communities affect health inequalities?
"Communities and neighbourhoods that ensure access to basic goods, that are socially cohesive, that are designed to promote good physical and psychological well-being and that are protective of the natural environment are essential for health equity."
Sir Michael Marmot, 2010
Where people live affects their health. There are a number of elements of the living environment that influence health including the built environment and the communities in which people live. The design, maintenance and location of buildings influence health. Similarly, public spaces and transport networks can facilitate health by providing opportunities for physical activity, social interaction and access to social goods.
Disadvantaged people are more likely to live in poor quality built environments and have limited access to transport and local amenities supporting healthy choices.
The creation of healthy sustainable places and communities should go hand in hand with sustainable development and the mitigation of climate change. The IPH Corporate Plan 2010-2013 proposes developing 'healthy and sustainable communities' as a key action area. In particular, IPH is concerned with the health impacts of climate change, active transport and health inequalities relating to these issues.
Developing healthy, sustainable communitues and health inequalities: IPH portfolio
- Active travel - healthy lives
- Fuel poverty and health
- Health Impacts of the Built Environment
- Health Impacts of Transport
- Health Impact Assessment
How can I learn more about developing healthy, sustainable communities and health inequalities?
- Belfast Healthy Cities
- Climate Change & Health: Impacts, Inequalities & Action - WHO European Region- Environmental Health
- WHO European Region- Healthy Cities
- EC Healthy Environments
- EC Environment and Health Strategy
- The Built Environment- Supporting evidence for ‘Fair Society, Healthy Lives’
- Sustainable Development Commission- Sustainable Development: The key to tackling health inequalities
- Improving urban health equity through action on the social and environmental determinants of health – Final report of the GRNUHE
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