Healthy Communities

The health of a community is dependent not only upon the genetics of its residents, but also upon the environment within which those individuals live. A person’s health is a product of their environment. As such, a healthy community is one in which all residents have access to a quality education, safe and healthy homes, adequate employment, transportation, physical activity, and nutrition, in addition to quality health care. Unhealthy communities lead to chronic diseases, such as cancers, diabetes, and heart disease.

"A more holistic concept of health recognizes the influence

of the social, economic, psychological and environmental

well-being of the community on people’s health."

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The health of our communities is critical to the growth and development of our region. To build
healthy communities in WEstern New York, we must develop multi-sectoral collaborations between
community members and stakeholders to ensure the sustainability and adequacy of resources to
support comprehensive reform.