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RSSToward a Healthy Future Initiative
The Toward a Healthy Future initiative is educating stakeholders and developing programs in an effort to prevent disease in the Chicago population. The initiative rests on the foundation that good health is based on many factors that are unrelated to medical care—social and environmental determinants of health include income, social support, education, employment and working conditions, housing, neighborhoods and the physical environment, coping skills, early childhood experiences, and child development. Prevention must be a multi-disciplinary effort, with the health, substance abuse, human service, mental health, housing, criminal justice, and education systems all sharing the role of assuring population health. The Office of Policy and Planning leads this initiative.
Toward a Healthy Future Policy Agenda
Staff from City of Chicago departments and Chicago agencies have come together, expanded each partner’s thinking about policies, and made a commitment to the well-being of Chicago residents. Staff from the City Departments and Chicago organizations contributed to the Toward a Healthy Future policy agenda, and has pledged to work individually, within their own agencies, as well as collaboratively, to support the local, state, and national agenda priorities. This agenda is intended to be used by all stakeholders of the health, welfare, and safety of Chicago individuals, families, and communities. There are four overarching priorities that organize the agenda:
- Assure Access to High-Quality, Prevention Focused Health Care
- Promote Collaborative, Integrative Human Service Systems that Support Wellness
- Support Healthy Development and Quality Education for Children and Youth
- Assure Safe and Financially Stable Communities
Educate stakeholders and work toward legislative change with this tool kit. It includes the Toward a Healthy Future policy agenda, information on how to work toward legislative change, and fact sheets about the relationship between health and housing, the early years of life, education, nutrition, race and socioeconomic factors, neighborhoods, work, and early childhood experiences.
Supporting Information
Department Main Office
Public Health
