By Betsy Logan, AICP

Across the country, public health advocates and planners are partnering to design healthier communities through access to parks, walkable neighborhoods, safe streets, clean air, and safe, affordable housing. Advances in mapping and public health research now link neighborhood-level data to health outcomes and the built environment. Some of the tools below can help pinpoint areas where wellness investment is needed most.

• CDC PLACES Project: Provides census tract-level data on 29 chronic disease indicators, identifying disparities within neighborhoods to target specific blocks for park improvements, walkability audits, or health-focused redevelopment.
• PA Health Equity Analysis Tool (HEAT): Explores health disparities across race, income, and geography. Interactive maps show access to care, disease burden, environmental risks, and more. Identifies gaps in green space, air quality improvements, or transit access.
• PA Environmental Health Indicators Map: Displays environmental, social demographic, and public health data. Identifies manufacturing, extraction, waste, transportation, and other infrastructure locations with residents’ health near these environmental impacts.
• AARP Livability Index: Scores communities’ livability impacts including housing, transportation, health, environment, and more. Offers the opportunity for livability grants and recommendations for improving livability in a community.

By integrating these data tools into the planning process, community health goals are grounded in evidence, equity, and place-based insight.