A healthy community means many things to many people. For some, it means fewer pesticides and air pollution. To others, it means more green space, better recycling, or “no smoking” in public places. To make your community a healthier place, start with a “health inventory” of your surroundings, suggests Georges Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association.
- Ask yourself if your community is walkable and bikable. Are there accessible and well-maintained sidewalks and walking trails? And what about parks and playgrounds—how many are within walking distance and are they in good condition? Are there plenty of grassy areas for people to sit, have a picnic, or just hang out?
- Look into your community services. Learn about the recycling program in your city and find out how much of the city’s waste is recycled. Is there curbside pickup? An accessible drop-off location?
- Consider public health issues as well, such as pesticide use, public smoking, and accessible health care.
Don’t forget to take a home health inventory, says Dr. Benjamin. On your checklist, include recycling; energy efficiency, including lightbulbs, windows, appliances, and insulation; the size and fuel efficiency of your vehicle; carpooling; the proper disposal of paints, solvents, batteries, computer parts, and the type of lawn and garden products in your shed.
Once you understand how much goes into a healthy home and a healthy community, look over your health inventory and decide how you’d like to get involved. To get started:
Read the community newspaper.
Read the local news and editorial pages to learn about the concerns of others.
Go to meetings.
Find out when city council meetings are held, and attend often. You’ll learn about the process of local government as well as the issues of the day. Watch for special hearings about zoning and new construction projects. Too often, builders and developers show up at city hearings but citizens are absent and underrepresented, says Dr. Benjamin. If your city has a Web site, bookmark it and check it often.
Do your homework.
If you want a voice in community issues, then research before speaking up. Your words will carry more weight, says Dr. Benjamin. For example, let’s say you want your town to switch from chemical to organic lawn care. Your first task is to dig up some reputable research that shows how and why citizens will benefit from the switch. Be prepared to provide the names of some organic lawn care companies, along with a cost comparison.
The Internet is a wealth of information. Be sure your sources are stellar. In general, you can rely on facts and figures from national associations, universities, and government bodies such as the National Institutes of Health. Use common sense as your guide. If the site doesn’t look reputable or the information seems sketchy, then it’s probably not a good source.
Send letters to the editor.
State your point clearly. Find out how many words your local paper allows and don’t exceed that limit.
Find strength in numbers.
Join your community association or look for groups of like-minded people in your neighborhood. Meet with local business owners, charities, and religious organizations. Don’t do all the talking: Listen to others and learn their concerns.
Make friends in high places.
Get to know your elected officials. Introduce yourself and shake hands at meetings.