Reconnecting Planning and Public Health

Topic:Making the connection between planning and public healthGuest & Organization:Anna Ricklin, AICP is manager of the American Planning Association’s (APA) Planning and Community Health Center, where she oversees applied research and place-based initiatives to advance health-oriented planning practice. She has a background in health impact assessment, active transportation planning, and cross-sector collaboration, as well as recent work in healthy planning metrics and comprehensive planning for health. Anna holds an MHS from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and is based in Washington, DC.The Planning and Community Health Center leads the first nationwide program linking public health and planning practice. Community design directly effects human health. Development patterns, zoning, and land use impact walkability and transportation options, access to services, the availability of healthy foods, and vulnerability to hazards. Planners can help create places that offer choices for everyone to be healthy and safe. APA’s Planning and Community Health Center provides tools and technical support to members so they can integrate health into planning practice at all levels. Areas of focus include active living, healthy eating, and health in all planning policies. They implement their aims through applied research, place-based investment, and education.Resources:American Planning Association’s Planning and Community Health CenterMetrics for Planning Healthy CommunitiesLocal Government Commission2018 New Partners for Smart Growth Conference– February 1-3, 2018