Vision
The Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI) vision is to create healthy environments by working collaboratively with stakeholders to prevent disease and address health disparities through policy, systems, and environmental change, focusing on interventions that affect the upstream drivers of health.
Program Background
In 2006, the Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI) was created as a central point of contact for health-related issues throughout the County. HCI provides technical assistance to communities throughout San Bernardino County, recommending policy and environmental strategies to improve residents’ health. The HCI is involved in multiple regional projects, partnering with schools, community- and faith-based organizations, public and private agencies, and city governments. These partnerships are practical tools for improving health in local communities.
Goal
Strengthen and establish relationships with community stakeholders, including but not limited to local governments, community coalitions, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, etc., to foster healthy, safe, and equitable communities, which will ultimately improve the health status of residents throughout San Bernardino County.
Healthy City Programs
The Healthy Communities Initiative serves as a liaison between several local government agencies with established healthy city initiatives or programs. The HCI convenes with these agencies to discuss strategies for focus areas that impact the community, such as civic engagement, climate resilience policy development, and community engagement.
A Healthy Community promotes a positive physical, social, and economic environment that supports the well-being of its members. It includes healthy schools, walkable communities, transportation options, parks/open spaces, adequate housing, and access to health care.
San Bernardino County is the largest county in the contiguous United States, with over two million people living in diverse geographic and civic environments. The health problems facing this region make it imperative that we prioritize the health needs of our residents.
Many modern health problems, including obesity, heart disease and stroke, cancer, asthma, stress, and traffic-related injuries, are impacted by how and where we build our communities. It is for this reason that the planning and health disciplines must work together for healthier future outcomes.
Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS)
The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health has partnered with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) to ensure the implementation of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program in San Bernardino County. SRTS is a federal initiative intended to improve the environment and safety around schools for children walking and biking while increasing their physical activity and overall health.
To view information about the schools and districts that are participating in SRTS, visit the SBCTA Safe Routes to School: Phase IV dashboard.
Climate Preparedness and Resiliency
The HCI is dedicated to addressing the challenges of climate change by enhancing climate preparedness and resiliency within the community. We are actively working to develop and support policy solutions, build internal and external capacity, and raise awareness about the health impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable areas like urban heat islands. Through collaboration with community partners and public health programs, we aim to create sustainable strategies that will build community capacity and protect residents from the adverse effects of climate change. More information on our climate-focused initiatives will be available soon.
- California Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Indicators – California Department of Public Health
- Local Climate Change Snapshot – California Energy Commission & University of California, Berkely
- California Healthy Places Index: Extreme Heat Edition – Public Health Alliance and University of California, Los Angeles
- California Heat Assessment Tool (CHAT) – Four Twenty-Seven, Argos Analytics, Habitat Seven, and Public Health Institute
- CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Indicator Maps – Environmental California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
The Healthy Communities Initiative serves as a liaison between several local government agencies with established healthy city initiatives or programs. The HCI convenes with these agencies to discuss strategies for focus areas that impact the community, such as civic engagement, climate resilience policy development, and community engagement.
A Healthy Community promotes a positive physical, social, and economic environment that supports the well-being of its members. It includes healthy schools, walkable communities, transportation options, parks/open spaces, adequate housing, and access to health care.
San Bernardino County is the largest county in the contiguous United States, with over two million people living in diverse geographic and civic environments. The health problems facing this region make it imperative that we prioritize the health needs of our residents.
Many modern health problems, including obesity, heart disease and stroke, cancer, asthma, stress, and traffic-related injuries, are impacted by how and where we build our communities. It is for this reason that the planning and health disciplines must work together for healthier future outcomes.
The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health has partnered with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) to ensure the implementation of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program in San Bernardino County. SRTS is a federal initiative intended to improve the environment and safety around schools for children walking and biking while increasing their physical activity and overall health.
To view information about the schools and districts that are participating in SRTS, visit the SBCTA Safe Routes to School: Phase IV dashboard.
The HCI is dedicated to addressing the challenges of climate change by enhancing climate preparedness and resiliency within the community. We are actively working to develop and support policy solutions, build internal and external capacity, and raise awareness about the health impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable areas like urban heat islands. Through collaboration with community partners and public health programs, we aim to create sustainable strategies that will build community capacity and protect residents from the adverse effects of climate change. More information on our climate-focused initiatives will be available soon.
- California Department of Public Health – Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Indicators
- California Energy Commission & University of California, Berkely – Local Climate Change Snapshot
- Public Health Alliance and University of California, Los Angeles – California Healthy Places Index: Extreme Heat Edition
- Four Twenty-Seven, Argos Analytics, Habitat Seven, and Public Health Institute – California Heat Assessment Tool (CHAT)
- Environmental California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment – CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Indicator Maps