Evan worked at DRF with The Health Collaborative to document potential health policy adjustments for the region.

1. RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR A HEALTHIER
DAN RIVER REGION
EVAN BRADNER
1

2. TASK
• Complete a health policy scan for the Region
• Why Policy?
• Make healthier choices an option for all community members
• Efficient, long-term impacts.
• Compose a series of white papers addressing:
• What our local government can do to
create a healthy and active region
• How community leaders can empower
their communities
• What citizens can advocate for
2

3. APPROACH
Reach Out
• Community
Leaders
• Physicians
• Planners
• Teachers
• Youth
• Urban
Farmers
Research
• Health
Determinants
• Zoning Codes
& Ordinances
• Best Practices
• Economic
Feasibility
Recommend
• Zoning
Amendments
• Internal Policy
Change
• Infrastructure
Additions
• Healthy Short
& Long Term
Goals
3

4. NEED #1:
STRONGER LOCAL FOOD NETWORK
Develop
• Complete urban
agriculture code
• Allow farm
stands/corner store
redevelopment
• Support for local
food hub initiative
Integrate
• Agriculture, culinary,
and food business
skill development
courses
• Code-to-farmer
liaison, farmer-to-
land liaison
Promote
• Urban Agriculture
and Community
Garden Resource
Guide
• Open conversation
between elected
officials and local
farmers
• "Agri-tourism"
4

5. NEED #2:
STRONGER ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD
Develop
• Alleviate food deserts
• Farm-to-school
initiatives
• Veggie vans and home
delivery
• Ensure local
pantries/food banks
have healthy options
Support
• Alternative meal
programs
• Increased food
affordability for seniors
and children
• “Double up food bucks”
• Meal planning,
preparation, and
preservation education
Implement
• Resource guide for food
donation programs
• Equitable and reliable
public transportation to
grocery stores, farmer's
markets, etc.
• After school
transportation
• Up-to-date directory of
local options and events
5

6. NEED #3:
STRONGER YOUTH FOUNDATIONS
Children
• Childhood mental
health
• School as a resource
for children
• Engaging afterschool
activities
• After school safe
spaces
• Mentorships
Teachers
• Teacher recruitment
and retention policy
reform
• Administration and
teacher cooperation
• Teacher internships
Families
• Increase parental
involvement in and
out of schools
• "Community System
of Care" for teenage
mothers
6

7. NEED #4:
STRONGER ENVIRONMENT
Move
• Readdress "Complete
Streets" guidelines
• Address health,
transportation, and safety
through design
• “Walking School Bus” and
“Biking Train” programs
Play
•Support active
transportation infrastructure
to promote safe and
convenient physical
activities, including:
•Suitable lighting on all
sidewalks,
•Cautionary safety roadway
crossing signs,
•Wide, safe, and connected
bicycle lanes and routes
Expand
• Bike share program
• Proper bus stop
infrastructure
• After school transportation
• Strategically crafted and
marketed "Master routes"
7

8. TOP THREE PRIORITIES
8
IMPACT
1. Endorse a health in all policies approach
2. Prioritize community input and engagement in all
policies
3. Use policy as a catalyst for change in public health
• Stronger local economy
• Reduced food insecurity
• Healthier youth
• More active communities

9. RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR A HEALTHIER
DAN RIVER REGION
EVAN BRADNER
9