The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) recognizes the link between built environment design and health outcomes and has dedicated staff to promote health equity through community engagement and improvements to the built environments of the communities they serve. This session will first present the six domains that comprise a healthy built environment with case examples and pictures. Presenters will introduce initiatives at TDH to promote health equity and active lifestyles through built environment design. Next, the participants will apply this new knowledge in a mock Active Living Workshop, modeled after the ones TDH conducts with elected officials and other stakeholders in communities across the state. They will complete a mapping exercise to draw built environment improvements that will create safe, attractive spaces that promote physical activity and turn their creations into an action plan to fund and execute their designs. Participants will leave able to view their placemaking designs through a health lens and potentially see opportunities in their own communities to partner with public health to create safe, healthy, and attractive spaces for all.
