The Role of Health-Related Community Investing As a Strategy to Promote Active Living. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aytur, Semra; Marquis, Timothy; Bors, Philip; Katz, Julia; Bell, Richard
• Other Names: Rodriguez Daniel A. guest-editor.; Lounsbery Monica A.F. guest-editor.; Sallis James F. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Environment and behavior. Volume 48:Number 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 89
• Page End: 110
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: community development -- active living -- policy implementation -- collective impact -- social determinants of health; Human ecology -- Periodicals; 304.2
• DOI: 10.1177/0013916515614367
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-9165

Abstract

The National Prevention Strategy recognizes active living as a priority area for reducing the burden of chronic disease and emphasizes safe and healthy community environments as a key strategic direction to improve population health. New financial incentives created by legislation such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, complemented by recent private sector interest in health-related community investing, provide an unprecedented opportunity to support healthy behaviors while improving areas where we live, learn, work, and play. In this article, we qualitatively explore health-related community investing strategies that can be leveraged to implement active living strategies to promote healthy behavior. We provide a synthesis of case examples illustrating innovative cross-sector partnerships and discuss promising new initiatives to align resources. We found that although such partnerships are increasing nationwide, targeted support for cross-sector engagement is needed to strategically align investments, replicate and scale efforts, and maximize collective impact.