Toolkit to Integrate Health and Equity Into Comprehensive Plans
By Sagar Shah, PhD, AICP, Brittany Wong
This toolkit will help planners integrate health and equity in their comprehensive plan and plan-making processes. The toolkit builds on APA’s Comprehensive Plan Standards for Sustaining Places initiative, which established a framework for addressing sustainability through comprehensive plans. Among the 10 components of this framework, the toolkit focuses on Interwoven Equity, Healthy Communities, and Authentic Participation components.
The toolkit contains model language about goals, policies, and action items from the 15 existing comprehensive plans that have focused on health and equity.
Details
About the Authors
Sagar Shah, PhD, AICP
Sagar Shah, Senior Manager of Knowledge and Career Programs at the American Planning Association, is a prominent advocate for health equity in planning. He collaborates with foundations and federal agencies to shape planning practices and is an active member of APA’s Foresight Team, focusing on emerging technologies like AI. Sagar leads APA's 'Upskill Planners' initiative, equipping professionals for a dynamic future. He shares his expertise on national and international stages and contributes to the field through published research and book chapters. Sagar holds a PhD in Regional Development Planning and a Master’s in Planning.
Brittany Wong
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Executive Summary
Introduction
The Toolkit
How to Use This Toolkit
Model Language to Align with Comprehensive Plan Standards
Interwoven Equity
Healthy Community
Authentic Participation
Conclusion
Findings
Recommendations
References
Appendix A
Methodology
Plan Selection
Plan Analysis
Data Analysis
Appendix B
Links to Plan Documents and Updates and Health Impact Assessments (HIAs)