Washington DC Economic Partnership’s Post

Yesterday I had the privilege of talking with a like minded professional Emily Brook from Care City in the UK. We had a great discussion about social isolation and how service design and place based support can improve outcomes. As improvement folk we both shared our focus on preventative health programs, early health support and capacity building. This morning as part of my morning run, whilst reflecting on our meeting yesterday, I decided to run through a few parks and public spaces outside of health services with the lense of are they helping or hindering people to be outside, in the community and is being active and engaged in our community being made easy by the outside spaces. The pic below, is one example, in a Melbourne inner suburb, of a park with easy access, large pathways, a well maintained park, accessible toilets, a space for Bocce, a pond with ducks to look at, a cafe, a playground and park benches in short distances apart. These features bring people of all ages and mobility levels to this park. I regularly witness multi generational activity. Another example, a hospital, with no seating outside to come out into the fresh air and "just be" outside of the clinical environment (I'm talking patients, family and staff). It resonated with me, we all been in discussions where a design aspect has been dismissed because of "what could go wrong" based on historical assumptions. There are so many benefits to being in public space and creating spaces that encourage people to be out in the fresh air. There are things that keep people from being in public space - simple things such as their fitness and mobility needs require places to sit, guaranteed access to a nearby toilet, water, shade etc. It's my hope that the work that local government is doing in the walkable cities, age friendly cities etc and the work that the health system is doing in human centred design can collectively think about what can be created to support the reduction of isolation, increase people remaining active mentally and physically and increase our connection to nature to increase wellness and health outcomes. I would love to hear successful initiatives that people have seen or implemented that might spark off some great ideas and help advocate for some more public spaces that support bringing people together. Thank you Emily Brook, I look forward to meeting again soon - sharing and collaborating. #improvement #healthcreation #preventativehealth #servicedesign #environmentdesign #supportconnection #reducesocialisolation

Imagine a Community Focused on Wellness This six-acre development conforms to a WELL Community standard, which focuses on more than 100 individual features that promote high air/water quality, fitness, comfort, light, nourishment and mental/emotional health. Similar to LEED or Energy Star certifications, the WELL standard is more holistic in that it concentrates on wellness as it applies to the design of an entire neighborhood. Although there are 11 WELL-certified communities around the world, Water Street Tampa is the only one in the U.S. at present. https://lnkd.in/eCW9sVBN (Article) https://lnkd.in/erkazR4x (Water Street Tampa Community) https://lnkd.in/dCeMJ2u (WELL Community Standard) #WeAreWELL #Healthandwellbeing #healthydevelopment #realestate #peopleandplanet

Children living near green spaces ‘have stronger bones’, a study has found, leading to lifelong health benefits. Scientists found that the children living in places with 20-25% more natural areas had increased bone strength that was equivalent to half a year’s natural growth. The study, the first of its kind, also found that the risk of having very low bone density was about 65% lower for these children. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e9_h4yXv And the health benefits don’t stop there. Our research findings demonstrate that parks and green spaces across the UK provide people with over £34 billion of health and wellbeing benefits. Explore more: https://lnkd.in/eJWmmrVX

The Health Superpowers of Parks Green spaces are increasingly valuable, cost-effective public health resources that can drive mental, physical, and environmental outcomes for communities. https://lnkd.in/ef_Q6-T9

Green spaces have great value…

Ever wondered who you need to connect with to bring your vision of health and wellbeing-focused neighbourhoods to life? Check out the diagram below from our new guide, ‘Creating Health and Wellbeing: A Partnership Approach to Evidence-Led Planning and Design in Our Cities, Towns, and Villages’. It maps out the intricate web of organisations essential for achieving positive health and wellbeing outcomes locally. Yes, it might look busy and overwhelming, but the key takeaway? Planners are not alone! This diagram shows the many teams, directorates, and organisations that are all ready to support you. Explore the full-size diagram and read the guidance here: https://lnkd.in/eey7uUi5 With thanks to our friends and collaborators at Prior + Partners. #UrbanPlanning #PublicHealth #LocalGovernment #HealthAndWellbeing #SustainableCommunities #CommunityHealth #CityPlanning #EvidenceBasedPlanning #QualityOfLife #PlanningStrategy #HealthyCities #LocalAuthorities #UrbanDevelopment #EnvironmentalHealth #Wellbeing

🌿 The Healing Power of Nature: Benefits of Green Spaces for Seniors 🌿 I came across an insightful article discussing the advantages of green spaces for seniors, highlighting their positive impact on physical health, mental well-being, and social connections. Key Benefits: 🏃♀️ Physical Health: Green spaces promote mobility and aid in vitamin D production. 🧠 Mental Health: These environments reduce stress levels and enhance cognitive function. ☕ Social Interaction: They play a vital role in preventing loneliness and fostering community. 🌷 Environmental Impact: Green spaces support sustainability efforts and biodiversity. Fun Fact: Did you know that the lack of physical activity costs the US $117 billion annually? Green spaces have been shown to reduce stress and enhance cognitive performance significantly. For more details, check out the full article: "Exploring the Benefits of Nature and Green Spaces for Seniors" on assistedlivinglocators.com. Let's join hands in advocating for more green spaces in senior living communities! 🌳💚 #SeniorLiving #GreenSpaces #Wellbeing #Sustainability #HealthyAging COREWORKS CCL Hospitality Group

I believe much of the health of San Francisco residents can be attributed to how much we walk. It's a very walkable city. This also leads to lower medical costs overall for individuals and companies. "San Francisco’s invigorating ocean breezes, abundant hiking trails, expansive parks and open spaces, and diverse dining and food options are more than just attractions — they are the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. In a study published by WalletHub, which evaluated more than 180 major U.S. cities using 41 key indicators, San Francisco was crowned as America’s healthiest city. This comes at a time when over 70% of U.S. adults are overweight and health care expenses are escalating. The personal-finance website released its 2024 report on America’s healthiest cities on Monday, highlighting the financial implications of health for individuals." https://lnkd.in/gE9tusaQ

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of outdoor spaces in enhancing the quality of life for individuals residing in care homes. These outdoor areas, once overlooked, are now being reimagined as vibrant hubs of community engagement and interaction. As we delve into the significance of outdoor events within care home settings, it becomes evident that these spaces are not merely extensions of indoor facilities but integral components of holistic care. This article seeks to explore the multifaceted benefits of community engagement and outdoor events in care homes, with a particular focus on the role of outdoor spaces. Through expert insights, we aim to shed light on the transformative potential of these initiatives in enhancing the overall wellbeing and quality of life for older adults. #carehomes #outdoorspaces #residentialcare Randal Southall Furncare

We’re pleased to announce the launch of our new five-year strategy alongside the updated Quality of Life Framework 2.0! 🎉 Together. they provide a roadmap for creating and caring for homes and neighbourhoods that support health, wellbeing and quality of life across the UK. As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, our strategy sets out the key outcomes we’ll strive for over the next 5 years to shape homes and neighbourhoods that truly enhance quality of life. And we've updated the Quality of Life Framework with the latest evidence on the ingredients homes and neighbourhoods need to support health and wellbeing. It shares the six core themes that are needed for creating healthier, more sustainable communities. With the government prioritising housing development, now is the time to ensure new homes and neighbourhoods positively impact people's lives. 👉 Learn more about our strategy here: www.qolf.org/our-strategy 👉 Explore the Quality of Life Framework here: www.qolf.org/framework #QualityOfLife #Housing #CommunityWellbeing #HealthyLiving #UrbanPlanning #UKHousing #HealthAndWellbeing #BuiltEnvironment