ABSTRACT
Identifying the different kinds of intersections between health and environments is a key step often referred to as scoping in the neighborhood health assessment process. This can help narrow or focus attention on important issues but also help broaden the agenda beyond what initially seems obvious. As a preliminary step, it can be useful to have a checklist of issues. Because many health assessment tools are designed to have very broad applications—from national policies to interior designs—the range of such issues is large. For example, it might seem obvious that a roadway redesign or transportation plan has implications for physical activity but more important may be such issues as traffic safety, air quality, accessibility to services, social connections, and mental health. The specific numerical thresholds, while drawing on research evidence, may not be quite appropriate for a specific situation. Underlying the indicators is a concern with the different effects on groups such as children and those with few financial resources.
