California Healthy Cities and Communities

What is a Healthy City/ Community?

A Healthy City/Community promotes a positive physical, social and economic environment that supports the well-being of its members through:

• broad participation in identifying needs, mobilizing community assets, planning and implementing solutions;
• collaborative partnerships among public agencies, the private sector and community-based organizations to optimize community resources;
• programs, policies and plans to promote and protect health and foster greater equity; and
• ongoing monitoring and feedback on programs and policies to ensure quality and appropriateness.

What Does the California Healthy Cities and Communities Program Offer?

• Educational programs to inspire and inform — Orientation sessions are conducted to familiarize local leaders with the Healthy Cities/Communities concept and to assist them with getting organized. An annual conference is held for participating communities and others interested.  The Program also organizes and conducts other educational programs and events on special topics.
• Technical assistance, grants and resource brokering to support and sustain —Consultation is provided via distance communications or site visits to groups initiating or maintaining Healthy City/Community programs.  The Program brokers programmatic and financial resources by working closely with local, regional and statewide organizations to support Healthy Cities and Communities efforts throughout the state.  Healthy Cities and Communities have leveraged over $40 million and obtained valuable community building resources for local Healthy City/Community efforts.
• Services and products to network and facilitate — Connections, the Healthy Cities and Communities newsletter, keeps readers abreast of what other communities in the state are doing as well as new resources and learning opportunities.  Other resources include a website, listserv (e-mail group); planning and resource guides and other publications.

What are Some Examples of Healthy City/Community Accomplishments?

• Established a policy to allow interim use of public and private land for community gardens and recreation.  Over 140 families use the community garden plots.
• Strengthening intergenerational bonds and improving the independence of senior citizens by creating opportunities for teen volunteers to perform helpful services.
• Improved safety and economic viability of a neighborhood by offering forums to promote public safety and facilitate communication with local merchants, which resulted in a decrease of 47 percent in violent crime arrests.
• A cycling and pedestrian safety program that garnered first-place honors in a national survey increased helmet usage for 5-18 year olds from 26 percent to 53 percent in one year, and was responsible for distributing 3,000 bicycle helmets at reduced cost or free to low-income children.
• An established neighborhood collaborative procured several other community-enhancing grants for things such as a technology and learning center, a health program for Latinas and their families, and an after-school and safe neighborhood grant for several sites.
• Beautification efforts of a community resulted in residents reporting that both graffiti and litter had been reduced (55 and 45 percent respectively).
• Educational campaign to inform residents of local codes and violation and reporting procedures resulted in a 60 percent decrease in complaints of public drinking.

Where are California’s Healthy Cities and Communities?

Healthy Cities and Communities programs have been implemented in communities of all sizes, demographics and civic personalities.  They include the following communities:

The Project is administered by the Public Health Institute under contract with the California Department of Public Health Grant No. 07-65423, supported by the Preventive Health Services Block Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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