Built Environment

Promoting Health in the Built Environment

Nemours Health and Prevention Services (NHPS) is committed to promoting children’s health in all the places where they live, learn and play. That’s why Nemours wants to help Delaware’s communities provide greater access to healthy foods and spaces for physical activity.

About the Built Environment

The built environment is the physical surroundings created or modified by people. This includes sidewalks, streets, public transportation, trails, bike paths, parks, playgrounds and much more. A well-designed community allows its residents to conveniently walk or bike in a safe environment, and, as a result, be more physically active as part of their daily routines.

The slide show below shows how slight changes such as the addition of crosswalks, medians and bike lanes can promote physical activity by creating opportunities for “active transportation” so that residents can walk or bike to destinations rather than always having to drive.

The built environment can also make healthy eating convenient by giving people greater access to grocery stores and farmers' markets where fruits and vegetables are plentiful. Areas with lots of convenience stores and fast food chains offer very few healthy options.

Learn what NHPS is doing to influence the built environment in Delaware so that children and families have more opportunities to be physically active where they live.

NHPS and the Built Environment

• How NHPS Promotes Healthy and Active Communities
• Supporting Delaware’s Parks and Trails
• Best and Promising Practices for the Built Environment