ABSTRACT
Considering the health of neighborhoods or districts takes resources so it is important to know if the health issues are substantial enough, and the likelihood of change big enough, to warrant the work. In a world of limited resources, it can be best to focus attention on larger or more critical places and proposals. The proposition is focused on identifying specific health issues and topics. Potential sources of data include local government planning agencies, census and statistical bureaus, project proponents, and observing of the area. While some information may be fairly straightforward, such as the physical area of a place, other topics may be contested, and in these cases multiple sources are useful. Some are simple and will occur naturally as a result of participatory and collaborative processes, and others require more effort. The first categories—observing, asking—can be done by professionals, activists, civic leaders, or local residents/workers, with groups working alone or in combination.
