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Below are the latest articles on built environment and public health co-authored by CDC employees (in italics):




Botchwey N, Hobson S, Dannenberg AL, Mumford KG, Contant CK, McMillan TE, Jackson RJ, Lopez R, Winkle C. A Model Built Environment and Public Health Course Curriculum: Training for an Interdisciplinary Workforce. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2009;36(2S):S63–S71. http://www.activelivingresearch.org/files/12.ModelCurriculum_Botchwey.pdf [PDF, 104 KB]

Faculty implementation of the proposed interdisciplinary model curriculum will help bridge the divide between the built environment and public health and enable both planners and public health professionals to value, create, and promote healthy environments. Dannenberg AL, Bhatia R, Cole BL, Heaton SK, Feldman JD, Rutt CD. Use of health impact assessment in the United States: 27 case studies, 1999-2007. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2008;34(3):241-56.

Using multiple search strategies, 27 HIAs were identified that were completed in the U.S. during 1999 –2007. These completed HIAs are useful for helping conduct future HIAs and for training public health officials and others about HIAs. More work is needed to document the impact of HIAs and thereby increase their value in decision-making processes. Watson M, Dannenberg AL. Investment in Safe Routes to School projects: public health benefits for the larger community. Preventing Chronic Disease. 2008;5(3):A90.

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is designed to encourage active and safe transportation for children to school. This report examines the potential broader impact of these programs on communities within 0.5 mile (0.8 km) of schools. Results suggest that SRTS projects in urban areas can improve the walking and bicycling environment for adults as well as for children, the target users. Investment in SRTS can contribute to increased physical activity among children and adults. Wendel AM, Dannenberg AL, Frumkin H. Designing and building healthy places for children. International Journal of Environment and Health. 2008;2(3/4):338–55.

The design and construction of the built environment have broad implications for the health of children. Healthy places should protect children from injury, pollutants and disease, provide children with a place to be physically active, play and experience nature, and promote a sustainable future. Health promotion can occur at all scales of the built environment, including buildings, communities and global infrastructure. The disabled, poor and other disadvantaged groups may benefit from built environment improvements. These improvements require partnerships among urban planners, engineers, architects, developers, public health practitioners and communities. Note: The findings and conclusion in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Younger M, Morrow-Almeida HR, Vindigni SM, Dannenberg AL. The built environment, climate change, and health: opportunities for co-benefits. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2008;35(5):517–26.

The earth’s climate is changing, due largely to greenhouse gas emissions resulting from human activity. These human-generated gases derive in part from aspects of the built environment such as transportation systems and infrastructure, building construction and operation, and land-use planning. Working across sectors to incorporate a health promotion approach in the design and development of built environment components may mitigate climate change, promote adaptation, and improve public health.