Creating Healthier Suburbs

Today millions of Americans live in what we call "sprawl" – communities where cars are the primary mode of transportation, and it can be difficult for residents to walk, bike, or take public transportation to meet their daily needs.

Many critics of sprawl focus solely on its environmental consequences, given the resources these communities generally consume. But sprawl can also affect residents' health, heighten economic and social disparities, and even threaten a community's fiscal sustainability. What strategies can community leaders adopt now to start limiting the negative impacts of sprawl?

Download this fact sheet for an overview of how sprawl affects health and ways to start transforming sprawl into more livable communities. You can also download an accompanying glossary of land use tools and topics for health advocates.