Our mission is to promote health and wellness through environments where individuals live, learn, work, worship, and play in Harris County, Texas.
The built environment is a term used to describe the man-made objects or spaces that form a community. This can include buildings, roads, sidewalks, parks, schools, work sites, and homes. It can also encompass services provided to a community, such as public transportation, and water and sanitation.
Studies show the built environment affects human health. For example, it can influence rates of physical activity, impact levels of fruit and vegetable consumption, and change human exposure to air pollutants. As a result, public health experts are now working with planners, developers, engineers, and transportation authorities to help design our communities in a way that prevents disease and improves health.