Planning for Health Equity, Advocacy, and Leadership (PHEAL)

Originally published in the June 2023  edition (v. 41) of Streetsmart News
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A diverse group of built environment practitioners ame together after the emergence of COVID-19 and the death of George Floyd to develop principles for centering health equity into built environment work. The result was the PHEAL principles. PHEAL has inspired the two initiatives below:

The PHEAL Community of Practice

PHEAL has created a community of practice as a place for built environment practitioners to learn from one another, share best practices, and help advance health equity in our work. Some of the topics we have discussed include how to better connect with medical health professionals, using art to improve community engagement practices, supporting and building the capacity of community-based organizations, and how to ensure that good plans are implemented. The community of practice is open to anyone interested in learning more about this work.  Contact me to join the Google Group and get a calendar invite to the Zoom meeting.

APA Health Equity and Planning

There is a new interest group at the American Planning Association: Health Equity and Planning. The mission of the Health Equity and Planning Interest Group is to advance health equity, advocacy and leadership in planning and related professions and to build on the framework established by the PHEAL movement. While this group is part of the American Planning Association, you do not have to be member of the APA to join. Visit the website for information about the interest group, including how to join.