Health in All Policies: A Guide for State and Local GovernmentsRudolph, L. Caplan, J., Ben-Moshe, K., & Dillon, L. (2013), Washington, DC and Oakland, CA: American Public Health Association and Public Health Institute.

Enhancing Urban Food Systems (PAS EIP 16). APA Planning Advisory Service, 2009.

Sustainability and Health: Supporting Global Ecological Integrity in Public HealthValerie Brown, John Grootjans, Jan Ritchie, Mardie Townsend and Glenda Verrinder.  Publisher: Allen & Unwin. December 2004. 

Journal of Environmental Psychology Vol 18 Issue 2 June 1998 pages 13-40: The View from the Road: Implications for Stress Recovery and Immunization. Russ Parsons, Louis G. Tassinary, Roger S. Ulrich, Michelle R. Hebl, Michele Grossman-Alexander; Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

Benefits of Trees and Urban Forests: A Research List

Alliance for Community Trees

Urban Forestry: Toward an Ecosystem Services Research Agenda: A Workshop Summary. National Research Council. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2013.

Living Near Nature Provides Long Term Mental Health Boost

 Health Benefits of Nature

APA TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS: PAS REPORTS, MEMOs & QUICK NOTES

(NOTE: these are now available to all APA members upon logging in online)

Incorporating Health into Comprehensive Planning (PAS Memo). Summary: The article looks at Health Impact Assessments (HIA), including Health and HIA issues into comprehensive plans, and APA’s framework called the Five Strategic Points of Intervention to better address areas of common interest between planning and public health where health objectives should be more emphasized and where health advocates (and planners) should have a strong voice.

Integrating Planning and Public Health (PAS 539/540)Summary: This report examines collaborations between planners and public health professionals committed to building healthy communities. It outlines the five strategic points of intervention at which planners and public health professionals can coordinate their efforts: visioning and goal setting, plans and planning, implementation tools, site design and development, and public facility siting and capital spending. Case studies illustrate the specific tools — including health impact assessments — used in such collaborations. The report also examines the role of universal design in creating healthy communities.


Planning Aging-Supportive Communities (PAS 579). Summary: The report is a guide to help planners and public officials meet the needs of older residents. Safe and affordable housing is one of the most basic needs. So is the ability to get around town, whether driving, walking, cycling, or taking transit. Public spaces, services, and health programs all must be addressed. In clear, concrete terms, this new report shows how to use the resources already in place, and what features to add, to create communities that support full, fulfilling — and long — lives.


Planning Active Communities (PAS 543/544) Summary: The report looks at how planning processes, development regulations, and community participation can be used to ensure that development patterns facilitate everyday physical activity. Includes information about safe routes to school programs and accessible schools, along with case studies of planning active communities in Denver, San Diego, Portland, Nashville, Minneapolis, and more.

The Effective Use of Health Impact Assessment in Land-Use Decision Making (Zoning Practice). Summary:  The article discusses how HIAs have been used in the U.S. to encourage the development of healthy communities by building consensus for proposed projects and plans and engaging community members.


Transforming the Built Environment in Support of Aging (PAS QuickNotes 45)Summary: The article briefly describes the aging challenge, how the built environment can impact the quality of the aging experience, and offers suggestions on how to design aging friendly communities.


Zoning to Improve Health and Promote Equity (Zoning Practice). Summary: The article discusses how communities can use zoning and other development regulations to promote healthy living environments by increasing affordable housing options and improving access to care.