Designing and building more healthy communities involves planners, architects, developers and policy makers in a process that contributes to the health and well-being of all residents.

NCSL recently published a report presenting policies that state legislatures have adopted that promote healthy community design.  Through tax incentives, grants and state spending, the promotion of healthy foods and nutrition in communities, using health impact assessments, green zoning, building codes and other tools state legislatures can build more healthy communities.

NCSL identified policies and legislation that addresses healthy community design from the 50 state legislatures for this publication, and studied the policies that best promoted healthy community design.  Four broad policy areas where state legislatures have great authority were identified and discussed for the book:

1. Tax incentives; grants and state spending
2. Healthy foods and nutrition
3. Health impact assessments
4. Green zoning, building codes and the siting of schools

Several policies came to the forefront during the identification and study of these laws, which were highlighted in the report:

1. Financing Healthy Community Design Projects
2. Supporting Safe, Pedestrian-Oriented Transportation
3. Supporting Land-Use Planning and Development that Encourages Healthy Living
4. Supporting School Siting and Facilities that Encourage Healthy Living
5. Supporting Park, Trails and Recreational Facilities
6. Using Health Impact Assessments
7. Encouraging the Construction of Visitable Homes

Conclusions/Implications or Lessons Learned:  State and local policy makers can influence the design, promotion and implementation of laws that lead to a more healthful community.  Providing state-wide policies encourage developers and city planners to build communities that promote health.