This month ROW highlights Health By Design, an Indianapolis-based non-profit working to ensure that Indiana has neighborhoods, public spaces, and transportation promoting active living for all, including those along our waterways. Executive Director Kim Irwin serves on ROW’s Steering Committee and is a member of the Connectivity Committee.
Health By Design operates at the intersection between the built environment and public health in four key areas: walking, biking, transit, and land use. This means they take a holistic approach to public health, advocating for policy change, building community capacity, facilitating dialogue, educating about best practices, and promoting smart design.
Health By Design recently hosted a Health Equity Summit, on August 28, focusing on the social determinants of health — those factors that aren’t directly part of the health industry, but have significant impact on health. These include living in a safe community, having access to reliable transportation and employment opportunities, and addressing structural racism and implicit bias.
ROW is grateful for Health By Design’s insight as part of our leadership and is excited to continue working together to expand access for all along our waterways!