Transforming Michigan’s Health: How a Focus on the Built Environment is Enhancing Community Well-Being

The “Yours, Mine, and Ours — Public Health” series showcases how Michigan’s public health agencies work to keep us healthy and informed. Funded by the Michigan Association for Local Public Health, this series addresses vital physical and mental health issues in our communities, homes, workplaces, and schools.

Fitlot outdoor fitness park at Rotary Park in Lansing.

Public health goes hand-in-hand with infrastructure. In Michigan, organizations are focusing on how our surroundings shape health. They work on projects that improve access to safe housing, clean water, and parks for physical activities. These efforts aim to remove barriers, promote fairness, and encourage healthier lifestyles.

Lynn Sutfin, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, emphasizes the importance of improving our surroundings. “A better built environment can help prevent chronic diseases by making healthy food and active living more accessible,” she says.

The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Strategy, Michigan’s Roadmap to Healthy Communities, is one way MDHHS is addressing these issues. According to Sutfin, this plan aims to improve health and promote equity by removing obstacles to health and opportunities.

The Good Housing = Good Health Program, launched by MDHHS and MSHDA, helps connect residents with housing support and services. Community health workers are hired to help locals find the resources they need.

The Lansing River Trail gives urban families opportunities to build health through physical activity.

MDHHS collaborates with various organizations to tackle challenges like food and housing insecurity. One such group is the Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF), which started in 1994. MFF focuses on promoting health through simple messages about food and exercise.

Mary McGuire, MFF’s director of communications, points out that safety is a major concern for many who want to be active outside. “If people don’t feel safe walking or biking, it can hurt their physical and mental health,” she explains. “We want to make sure everyone has access to safe places for exercise.”

MFF’s initiatives include Rec-Connect, which connects families with activities during summer. The popular Storywalk® pairs walking with reading by displaying large images from children’s books along trails. Another program, Safe Routes to School Michigan, ensures that children can safely walk or bike to school.

McGuire emphasizes that it’s important to think about how to improve quality of life for everyone. “What can we do to enhance public health for all?” she asks.

Industrial operations can harm nearby residents and the environment.

Improving walking trails and bike paths is just one way to enhance public health. The Urban Collaboratory at the University of Michigan works with city leaders to identify issues and develop innovative solutions, focusing on the overall quality of life for residents.

Curt Wolf, the managing director of the Urban Collaboratory, notes that their work aims to connect research with community needs. They focus on environmental justice concepts, including climate change and water quality. Wolf emphasizes the importance of collaboration with communities to make significant changes.

Both he and McGuire recognize that funding is a major challenge when it comes to improving infrastructure. Changes, like safer roads or better water systems, can be expensive and time-consuming. Yet, both believe that these improvements are essential for public health.

“Investing wisely in community health is vital,” says Wolf. “We need to prioritize health with the limited resources we have.”

The Urban Collaboratory focuses on community water systems and contaminants.

Through collaboration with local communities, Wolf and McGuire hope to continue offering vital health insights for infrastructure improvements. They know that addressing interconnected issues can lead to greater health benefits for everyone.

“Health, mobility, and clean water are all related,” Wolf says. “We aim to bring new ideas to the table beyond just bigger pipes.”

“We want to encourage healthy eating and physical activity,” McGuire adds. “If we provide resources and knowledge, we can help communities achieve better health outcomes.”

For more information about how MDHHS and other organizations are working to improve public health in Michigan, visit the MDHHS website. To learn more about the Urban Collaboratory’s projects, click here. You can find more about MFF’s work here.

“Living in a safe environment is essential for everyone’s mental and physical health,” Sutfin states. “MDHHS will keep working to promote and protect health in Michigan.”

Rylee Barnsdale is a Michigan native and longtime Washtenaw County resident, passionate about sharing local stories through her journalistic work.

Photos by John Russell and courtesy of the subjects.