When local governments prioritize community health and well- being, they invest in their community—and see dividends in other areas for years to come. Healthy Community planning can also have surprising economic benefits, such as:

• Reduced utility servicing costs that come with reduced sprawl
• Reduced legal costs due to fewer personal injury lawsuits
• Reduced policing and victim services costs due to crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED)

At BC Healthy Communities, we strive to increase awareness of the Healthy Communities movement and work towards the capacity-building of local governments to continue developing places where their constituents can be healthy and well. Below are some resources to learn more about the Healthy Communities movement, how to implement the principles in local government work, the importance of equity, and some additional guides.