Imagine a healthy community as a connect-the-dots landscape painting. Each “dot” has its place and purpose: affordable housing, a vibrant economy, safe streets and public transportation, a high quality public education system, easy access to fresh food and safe recreation, and a healthcare system that provides both preventative and responsive services. When connected as designed by “artists” – community developers, business owners, school administrators, urban planners, traffic engineers and health professionals – the dots become a vibrant work of art that is a healthy community. Today, we stand before a huge canvas with the challenge to collaborate on a shared vision for something creative and grand, as well as practical and effective – a healthy community.
