Priority Issue: Healthy Environment & Active Living
Improving the community environment to support active living and good health for all
Health and wellness are shaped by the environment where community members live, work, and play. Creating an environment that fosters healthy living for everyone begins with integrating health considerations into policies, plans, and procedures. This approach, called Health in All Policies (HiAP), aims to ensure that policy decisions promote community health rather than contribute to negative health outcomes. Improving the conditions that shape health and wellbeing requires and investment in the infrastructure of neighborhoods, parks, recreation facilities, and transportation systems to make the living environment healthier and safer.
Related Key Indicators
Data Snapshot for Health District: Fairfax
Data Snapshot for County/City: Fairfax County
Goal 1: Support the adoption and implementation of policies that increase access to healthy environments and active living.
Objective 1.1: Review, revise, and develop policies and regulations related to land use, development, transportation, parks, and the environment to promote community health and well-being.
Conduct a review of all functional areas within the Policy Plan of the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan with a focus on health in all policies to promote healthy lifestyles and well-being.
Integrate the transportation, bicycle, and trails plan maps in the Comprehensive Plan into a unified multimodal transportation system map.
Collaborate on recommendations for street design, multi-modal transportation components, and maintenance to ensure safe access to community amenities, schools, and employment centers for residents of all ages, abilities, and income levels.
Expand and improve bicycle and pedestrian access to ensure safe, comfortable, and convenient connectivity in redeveloping or underserved communities.
Establish policies, walkability standards, and performance measures and secure resources that increase walkable access to parks, trails, and recreational amenities.
Identify evidence-based mechanisms to incorporate health into the county development review process, such as submission requirements and performance standards.
Pursue commitments from developers during the land development process for actions that promote healthy lifestyles and well-being.
Objective 1.2: Strengthen the implementation of existing policies to enhance opportunities for physical activity.
Assess access and promote equity in the county Field Allocation Policy and in the future development of athletic, recreation, and community facilities and amenities that encourage physical activity, including athletic courts, fields, and playgrounds.
Support efforts that encourage the reporting of pedestrian and bicycling incidents to the Police Department.
Increase awareness of concussion protocols to support implementation in community settings.
Goal 2: Build and sustain partnerships and resources to support healthy environments and active living.
Objective 2.1: Build capacity to facilitate healthy environments and active living.
Establish a cross-sector leadership structure to promote, inform, and implement healthy environment and active living initiatives.
Recruit and train ambassadors to spread the principles of health in all policies (HiAP) and provide interdisciplinary guidance and expertise for integrating health considerations into policymaking and environmental design.
Establish a recognition program for local businesses and organizations to highlight innovative programs that support health and well-being across the lifespan.
Objective 2.2: Increase access to resources and information that promote physical activity.
Engage targeted geographic communities to explore and address barriers to active living.
Connect community groups and organizations with funding and scholarship opportunities to promote greater participation in athletics and active transportation for underserved communities.
Establish earn-a-bike and bike share programs that serve children and adults in need.
Promote education at schools regarding safe walking, biking, public transit, and driving practices.
Expand the use of social media to promote active and healthy lifestyle choices.
Goal 3: Increase participation in programs that foster active lifestyles and community connections.
Objective 3.1: Support and expand programs that connect people to community spaces, facilities, and parks.
Expand the availability and awareness of outdoor gym equipment and consistent instruction for its use for people of all ages and abilities.
Encourage the establishment of walking clubs in places of employment and faith-based communities.
Facilitate the collaboration of medical practitioners with local park agencies and community organizations to provide park prescriptions to improve health and well-being.
Promote programs such as conservation landscaping, edible landscaping, and environmental monitoring that engage the community and increase awareness of and appreciation for environmental resources.