The following reports and guidelines are resources that Design for Health (DFH) believes are relevant, easy-to-read, influential, and grounded in a thoughtful methodology and/or evaluative process.
Health Impact Assessment
- The Merseyside Guidelines for Health Impact Assessment (2nd ed.) (2001)
Published by the International Health IMPACT Assessment Consortium, this is often cited as the most widely used HIA model in England. - A Resource for Health Impact Assessment, Vol I: The Main Resource (831 KB) 2000
This 198-page report is a general resource document for HIA. Commissioned by the National Health Service Executive London, it provides a detailed overview of HIA, including sections on introducing HIA, applying HIA, and resources for HIA. - Resource for Health Impact Assessment, Vol II: Case Studies (965 KB) 2001
The second volume of the Resource for HIA series contains a variety of case studies taken from across England and Wales. Cases are divided into the following categories: tools for health impact assessment and health inequalities impact assessment, policy appraisal, transport and air quality, regeneration, housing, and social and environmental impact assessment. - A Guide to Reviewing Published Evidence for Use in Health Impact Assessment(2006)
This 12-page document, developed by the London Health Observatory, uses detailed step-by-step instructions to illustrate how to review published evidence for an HIA. Published evidence in this context includes peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as internal documents from a variety of sources.
Physical Activity
- Toolkit for Building Physical Activity into Daily Life
This toolkit was prepared for workshops in 2004 and 2005 and in this fast-moving research field, some materials are outdated. - Design Guidelines for Active Michigan Communities
This document was designed to help Michigan communities integrate active-living principles into their plans, policies and programs. It was created as part of Michigan’s Promoting Active Communities program, though its ideas can be useful to people and communities outside the state, as well.
Transportation
- Improving Conditions for Bicycling and Walking: A Best Practices Report
This “Best Practices” report from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy provides information on some outstanding pedestrian and bicycle projects that have been recognized for increasing walking and bicycling, and improving user safety in communities across the United States. - Sample Pedestrian Plans
A collection of plans from WalkingInfo.org, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center.
Urban Design and Land Use
- Toolkit for Building Physical Activity into Daily Life
This toolkit was prepared for workshops in 2004 and 2005 and in this fast moving research field, some materials are outdated. - Creating a Regulatory Blueprint for Healthy Community Design: A Local Government Guide to Reforming Zoning and Land Development Codes
A publication of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).