Recognizing that "undoing racism," and embracing cultural diversity are keys to eliminating persistent health disparities in the city of Boston, the Boston Public Health Commission led a multi-faceted initiative that began with an institutional assessment in which the Commission asked the question, "how is racism at play here?"
A community/academic partnership transforms vacant lots into community gardens in urban neighborhoods throughout Denver, creating new opportunities for physical activity, healthy eating and social connections among community residents, survivors of abuse and homeless people.
In the rural town of Wray, Colorado a coalition builds a neighborhood walking path, basketball court and other features to make fitness fun for people of all ages by soliciting community buy-in and creating social support for activity.
Food and activity advocates in New York City are collaborating to develop a comprehensive and long-term plan for making changes to food and activity environments, particularly in high-need neighborhoods. Funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the New York City Food and Fitness Partnership is increasing access to healthy food in communities and enhancing opportunities for active living.
The Boston Indicators Project, initiated in 1997 with its first formal report released in 2000, issues biennial indicator reports with measures of progress in sectors that are directly related to social determinants of health and conditions in Boston's communities that either promote or detract from the health of residents.
Initiated in 1998 by The Center for Community Solutions and United Way of Greater Cleveland, the Social Indicators Project includes a six-volume series of reports outlining the social and health trends of the eight-county Northeast Ohio area.
