The Approach
Let’s Get Healthy, Boston! will focus on Policies, Systems and Environment (PSE) improvements that can be achieved through voluntary (non-regulatory) changes made by organizations and businesses within specific sectors, discussed in more detail below. PSE improvements will be sought citywide, with a goal of the cumulative changes affecting 75% of Boston’s population by 2017. Additionally, in alignment with CDC requirements, LGHB! has designated two neighborhoods, Mattapan and North Dorchester, that experience disproportionate burden of chronic disease, as priority neighborhoods in which to achieve selected PSE improvements.
What is a PSE Change? Changes that make it easier for people to make healthy choices where we live, work, play, pray, and learn not programs or services for individuals. The LGHB! strategies’ for Boston are:
- Access to Physical Activity Opportunities through Active Transportation (Walking and Biking) – Goal: Increase the number of people with opportunities to walk or bike safely as part of their commute (including to school), reaching up to 185,000 residents.
- Healthy Food and Beverage Access – Goal: Increase the number of people with better access to environments with healthy food and beverage options, reaching up to 600,000 residents.
- Smoke-Free Housing – Goal: Increase the number of housing units in the city that are designated smoke-free, reaching up to 62,000 residents.