Policy and Legislation for Healthy Places

Abstract

Key Points - Policies and laws are, respectively, the articulation of governmental principles and the implementation of those principles; together they are central factors in creating healthier places. - Policies and laws are created and implemented at the local, state, and federal levels. It is important to identify the level of government through which a goal is best approached. - Policy and legislation development processes are often responsive to public input, creating numerous opportunities to effect built environment change to promote public health. - Different governments have different decision-making structures, and to be effective it is important to understand these differences.