title: Developing built environment programs in local health departments: lessons learned from a nationwide mentoring program.
abstract: Local health departments (LHDs) have a key role to play in developing built environment policies and programs to encourage physical activity and combat obesity and related chronic diseases. However, information to guide LHDs' effective engagement in this arena is lacking. During 2011-2012, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) facilitated a built environment peer mentoring program for 14 LHDs nationwide. Program objectives included supporting LHDs in their efforts to achieve built environment goals, offering examples from DOHMH's built environment work to guide LHDs, and building a healthy built environment learning network. We share lessons learned that can guide LHDs in developing successful healthy built environment agendas.
authors.affiliation: At the time this article was written, Kate Rube, Maggie Veatch, Rachel Sacks, Megan Lent, Gail P. Goldstein, and Karen K. Lee were with the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, NY. Katy Huang is with the Division of Health Care Access and Improvement, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rube
authors.forename: Maggie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Veatch
authors.forename: Katy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sacks
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lent
authors.forename: Gail P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Karen K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D009111:Local Government; D008611:Mentors; D009519:New York City; D011057:Politics; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012574:Schools; D014186:Transportation