Community Policy and Environmental Change

Changes in policies and environmental settings where people work, congregate or live can encourage choices for increasing daily physical activity, selecting healthier foods, and decreasing exposure to tobacco products or by-products such as smoke. Additionally, policies can assist in placing life saving devices in desirable and highly effective public locations.

The Texas Cardiovascular Health and Wellness Program and Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke support two recognition programs that set standards for community policies which help reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke in Texas.

The goal of the Heart Smart Site Recognition Program is to recognize employers, schools, and healthcare providers that model excellence in the prevention, awareness and treatment of CVD and stroke.

The Heart and Stroke Healthy City Recognition Program focuses on ten community indicators considered most important for the prevention of CVD in settings such as emergency response, health care, worksites, schools and restaurants.

Community Policy and Environmental Change Resource Links

Last Updated May 5, 2005