From the archive: How to do health

From the archive: How to do health? 

'How to do health?' was the big question posed in John Ashton's 1991 article in the December edition of Town and Country Planning. At the time, health was high on the political and planning agenda following the government's publication of the 'The Health of the Nation' Green Paper, and anticipation for the release of a national strategy on health.  

As John Ashton's article demonstrates, there is a long-running relationship between health and planning. For example, the establishment of the Health of Towns Association in 1843 and its campaign for sanitary reform, as well as the broader Victorian-era public health movement, of which the Garden City movement is an important part.   

'We are in the paradigm shift away from the simplistic notion that it is doctors and nurses who do health, and back to a recognition that many sectors – and all of the public – have a central part to play in health development, in partnership with health professionals." 

As reflected in the article, health trends and best practices have evolved over time, shifting away from a focus on curing disease to preventing ill health. Embedding health in communities is now viewed as more than providing GP surgeries and hospitals. It is a kaleidoscope of solutions that work together to help create a thriving population. This holistic approach to healthy place-making considers the social, economic, and environmental factors that shape our everyday lives.     

"Ensuring all partners who have a role to play in improving the quality of life and health of the nation and of our towns, cities, and villages are able to play their part.' 

Ashton sets out three key agendas that influence how we, as a nation, 'do' health. This includes ensuring high-quality services are available and accessible, adapting health services to meet the population's needs as they evolve, and working collaboratively with all partners and the public.   

'How to do health' illustrates how intertwined the history and future of health and planning are with one another. Embedding health into our approach to place-making plays a pivotal role in ensuring healthy lives and can also contribute to a healthier planet. This is best achieved through collaboration with other sectors, such as housing, transport, energy, food, education and employment, and the environment. 

The Town and Country Planning Association continues to champion health place-making, as set out in our 2024 publication Health, Hope, and Prosperity: a vision for healthy new towns. The TCPA also runs the Healthy Homes Campaign which aims to transform the way that the built environment is regulated to ensure that all new homes promote the health and wellbeing of their residents.