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Sample Matrix Examining the Links between Comprehensive Planning and Health Using the Matrix in Your Own the concentration of diseases within particular Community populations or geographic areas. Using a matrix such as the one on the next Focusing on the minimum content required by page,one can make clear links between various the Metropolitan Council,the matrix on the next aspects of health and traditional planning page provides a starting point in communities elements,including information required by the for discussing opportunities to integrate health Metropolitan Council.Even for communities into their comprehensive plans.Communities outside of the Twin Cities region, the matrix can might also include other elements or content in be a useful tool to organize efforts to integrate this matrix to reflect local concerns or typical plan content(e.g., community health into a community's comprehensive plan. facilities, environmental The matrix includes plan content specified by the protection,urban design).To further tailor the Metropolitan Council and a number of relevant matrix to the local context,additional health issues health issues. or specific health concerns could be included(e.g., access to supermarkets for low-income residents, The health issues included in the matrix were high asthma rates in neighborhoods adjacent to identified based on a review of wide-ranging highways). Use of this tool as part of the public literature on the relationship between health and participation process can be effective in increasing the built environment, drawing from research awareness of the relationships between health in the areas of public health, environmental and the built environment.The public may be management,transportation planning,urban a significant source of information about key design,and healthy eating.Frumkin,Frank and health issues and the feedback gathered during Jackson(2004)use many of these same categories a participatory process may be useful in drafting of health,including air quality,physical activity, goals and identifying policy options. traffic safety,water quality,mental health, and social capital,relating them to urban sprawl.A For more information on health and planning recent American Planning Association"Planning please visit www.designforhealth.net Advisory Service Report" on integrating planning and public health,addresses some of these same References issues but also adds obesity and inactivity,crime, hazardous waste sites,and transported materials Frumkin,H.,L.Frank,and R.Jackson.2004. (Morris 2006).The matrix used here(see p.9) Urban sprawl and public health:Designing, includes the additional concerns of food access, planning,and building for healthy communities. pollutants and epidemiological issues,such as Washington,DC:Island Press. e Design for Health UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA www.designforhealth.net