Governors are encouraging collaborative, inter-agency efforts to achieve public health objectives (such as reversing the rising rates of obesity) through land-use and transportation planning. By integrating public health perspectives into the community design process, states are helping to support the development of safer, walkable, healthier communities. The following series of case studies document state actions to support, plan for, and design healthier communities.

California's Obesity Prevention Plan
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation in 2005 that required the development of the California Obesity Prevention Plan to address rising rates of obesity. The comprehensive and multi-sector Plan that was developed calls for a number of state, non-profit, and private sector actions to support the development of healthier communities.

Read the California Case Study.

New Jersey's Pedestrian Safety Initiative
New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has announced a $74 million Pedestrian Safety Initiative, that will feature  a partnership between the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Commission, and the Department of Law and Public Safety. These agencies will implement a three-pronged strategy to increase safety for pedestrians through engineering, education, and enforcement measures. In addition to improvements to pedestrian infrastructure, the Initiative will also have Safe Routes to School and Safe Routes to Transit components.

Read the New Jersey Case Study.