Interface between Sustainability, Public Health, and Environment: Indicators for Measuring and Tracking Impacts of...

Area of Science:

• Environmental health
• Community development
• Public health

Background:

• The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) developed the Action Model and Toolkit to guide community revitalization.
• Community revitalization plans often benefit from structured approaches and measurable indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the ATSDR's Action Model and Action Model Toolkit.
• To present a consolidated set of community-driven redevelopment indicators.

Main Methods:

• The Action Model employs a 4-step brainstorming process involving community members and the Development Community.
• Over 200 indicators from 40 communities were consolidated to identify common redevelopment indicators.

Main Results:

• The Action Model Toolkit highlights 69 common redevelopment indicators found in at least 20% of the studied communities.
• These indicators span nine categories: built environment, community involvement, economy, education, environmental improvement, environmental resources, housing, physical health, and safety and security.
• Example indicators from a redeveloped former U.S. Air Force base are included.

Conclusions:

• The Action Model Toolkit offers a valuable resource for communities undertaking revitalization efforts.
• Communities can use the toolkit to select common indicators or develop unique ones based on sustainability, public health, and environmental considerations.