Using healthy community design data to monitor and inform planning and public policy

In Ontario, Public Health is mandated to work with municipal partners to inform and collaborate on built environment initiatives. For the Healthy Community Design (HCD) Baseline project, Public Health partnered with three communities (approximately 132,000, 29,000 and 22,000 residents, respectively). The HCD Baseline Project created a baseline of HCD indicators containing spatial data and self-reported behaviour and perception data. Tailored indicators were determined collaboratively between Public Health and municipal planning staff. Physical HCD indicator data were collected and mapped spatially, while primary data collected from a Neighbourhood Design Survey provided residents’ perceptions of HCD and reported behaviour. The HCD Baseline Project produced a data monitoring system to: track progress of HCD indicators as communities grow; measure current community design to identify municipal and public health priorities, including public policy and supportive environments; and assess the impact of future HCD interventions on the community. By compiling spatial and perception data, areas of strength and opportunity guided the collaborative development of tailored recommendations for each community. Findings from the HCD Baseline Project have created a stronger position for Public Health to support local municipalities. Recommendations are guiding collaborative, evidence-informed initiatives and informing local land use planning and related supportive environment policy. Data collection will be repeated in 5, 10 and 15 years to monitor trends and impact on community design.