HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES

"Building Bridges to Better Health" is working towards more focus on health when local leaders make policy decisions.

Health in All Policies

"Building Bridges to Better Health" is working towards more focus on health when local leaders make policy decisions. By considering health in local planning and decision-making, we can have a broad impact on health and wellness.

Successes

Both towns have passed resolutions to prioritize “Complete Streets”, which are roads designed for all users, including walkers, bikers, drivers, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
Both towns have master plans that reflect health as a priority.
Leaders from both towns have attended training in Health Impact Assessment.

The towns may adopt a "health in all policies" approach. This uses tools such as health elements in municipal Master Plans, health "checklists" for local decision-making, and Health Impact Assessment to predict health outcomes of policy decisions. One example is adopting a Complete Streets policy, which promotes roads that are designed for all users, including walkers, bikers, drivers, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.

Performance Goals

Local policies (zoning, ordinances, enforcement, master plan, etc.) align with national best practices designed to promote health and wellness and health equity.

Local business participation in "Building Bridges to Better Health" will have increased to reflect engagement of local business leaders in Bound Brook and South Bound Brook.