Prevention Matters

An important article in Preventive Medicine underscores the important role that urban design can play in promoting healthy communities. The research comes from an Atlanta project and will be a featured presentation at the 18th Annual Congress of the New Urbanism to be held in Atlanta May 19-22 in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The theme of this year’s conference is appropriately enough “New Urbanism: Rx for Healthy Places.”

Those of us in the prevention community need to pay more attention to this “New Urbanism.” Their work is very much at the cutting edge of new, community-based initiatives that can help us achieve success in reducing the incidence of chronic disease.

Want to learn more? There is an engaging 3 minute You Tube video introduction to “New Urbanism” called “Built to Last.” The video explains how this innovative approach to community design helps people replace dependency on driving with the freedom to connect with their community on foot, bicycle, or public transit. And there’s more. The correct approach to community design can help reverse the harmful effects of urban sprawl on the environment AND effect, in a good way, our personal and community health. New Urbanism seems like a strong investment in our future.

“When it comes to saving the planet what we build is the greatest threat … or the greatest hope.”

Posted by:
Ripley Forbes
Director, Government Affiars, Partnership for Prevention