Build Healthy Places Network

🚨 New Factsheet: Crafting a Health Equity Centered Narrative 🚨 Advancing health and racial equity requires more than policies and programs—it starts with the stories we tell and the values we uplift. Too often, myths and unproductive narratives create division instead of solidarity. Our latest factsheet equips practitioners with: ✅ Strategies to challenge harmful narratives ✅ Tools to communicate effectively across sectors ✅ Approaches to build trust-driven relationships that center community strengths Let’s shift the conversation from barriers to collective action. Download the factsheet now and join us in crafting narratives that drive real change. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ghp56bAW A HUGE shoutout to the BHPN team Ruth Thomas-Squance, PhD, Kevin O. Leacock, and our intern Blanca Corona for pulling together this valuable piece of work! #HealthEquity #RacialEquity #NarrativeChange #CommunityDriven #CrossSectorCollaboration

In Nashville, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are leading the way in addressing housing affordability by converting motels into mixed-income housing. These adaptive reuse projects not only provide immediate housing solutions but also revitalize underutilized properties, contributing to community development. This approach exemplifies how innovative financial strategies can tackle housing challenges and promote community well-being. Learn more about these transformative projects and the role of CDFIs in fostering affordable housing in Nashville. https://ow.ly/CFae50V0lsq #AffordableHousing #CDFIs #CommunityDevelopment #Nashville #HousingInnovation

Catch up on the new resources from BHPN’s latest Network Commons, where speakers explored strategies for fostering trust with Tribal and Native organizations through meaningful dialogue centered on Native self-determination. This insightful session also highlighted ways to mobilize community investment to build a healthier, more equitable future for Native and Tribal communities. Engage with the material by downloading the two-pager for key insights and watch the recording to gain inspiration from the conversation. https://ow.ly/QehK50V0kXK #NetworkCommons #NativeCommunities #TribalHealth #CommunityInvestment #HealthEquity

📢 Issue #6: What it Takes (and Costs) to Lead Toward Justice is live! Community development leaders are navigating an overwhelming reality: addressing immediate needs, driving systemic reforms, and challenging structural inequities—all while being undercompensated, overworked, and emotionally taxed. In this issue, ThirdSpace Action Lab shines a light on the complexities of leadership, especially for leaders of color, and offers promising practices to support, develop, and sustain those working towards justice. From addressing microaggressions to creating pipelines for future leaders of color, the work demands an anti-racist approach to leadership development. Let’s talk about what it truly takes to lead in community development. Read the full issue here 👉https://lnkd.in/e7M8bA9w #LeadershipForJustice #CommunityDevelopment #EquityInAction

Local government plays a vital role in building thriving, healthy communities—but how can leaders engage effectively? Build Healthy Places Network's Engaging Local Government to Promote Health and Prosperity in West Virginia provides essential guidance for community leaders looking to partner with local governments to improve health outcomes and community infrastructure. As a companion to the 2023 Wild, Wonderful & Healthy West Virginia Policy Scan, this resource equips leaders to foster collaboration and create healthier, more connected communities. Download the resource today and start building stronger partnerships for healthier communities. 🔗 https://ow.ly/vGeP50UQtaS #CommunityLeadership #LocalGovernment #RuralHealth #CollaborationMatters #HealthEquity

The changing climate is no longer a distant threat—it is here, now, affecting every aspect of our lives, including our health. While wildfires, hurricanes, and record heat waves dominate headlines, the long-term effects on physical and mental health often go unnoticed. Climate change is an immediate, widespread, and deeply inequitable public health crisis. Learn more about the connection between climate and health and what solutions exist to promote and protect human well-being while mitigating the crisis. https://lnkd.in/gkypiyjQ #ClimateHealthCrisis #ClimateChange #PublicHealthCrisis #ActOnClimate

We’d like to speak with personnel from the Department of Health and Human Services or its component agencies — whether you’re currently working or have recently left — who believe the public should understand the impact of what’s happening within the federal health bureaucracy. You can share your story here: https://lnkd.in/ee6Szz9E Or contact reporter Arthur Allen directly by email or Signal, the encrypted messaging app, at ArthurA@kff.org or 202-365-6116.

BHPN's Co-executive director, Ruth Thomas-Squance, PhD, MPH hosted a panel with national leaders discussing how cross-sector community investment partnerships can address health inequities and advance racial justice. Health outcomes at a population level are still largely seen as the domain of the healthcare sector. But we know that health and well-being are shaped by so much more—from safe, affordable housing and reliable transportation to sustainable resources and resilient communities. 🤝 Cross-sector community investment partnerships play a crucial role in addressing health inequities and advancing racial justice by ensuring that places, spaces, and systems are designed to meet the needs of all communities. Panelists shared insights on the challenges and opportunities in improving population health beyond clinical care and reflected on their professional journeys in advancing health equity. A BIG shoutout to all the panelists for joining the conversation Romi Hall, Melissa M. Jones, and Jen Lewis-Walden.

Catch up on our video snapshot series and learn from healthcare organizations and their partners on how multi-sector partnerships are creating community-owned solutions, offering permanent supportive housing, and fostering a sense of belonging for residents experiencing homelessness in California. Watch here! https://ow.ly/q6Rh50UL9Sh #CaliforniaHomelessness #Belonging #CommunityOwned #HealthcarePartners #SupportiveHousing #EndHomelessness

🏢✨ Could empty office buildings solve the housing crisis? Amidst a national housing shortage, converting vacant office buildings into residential spaces offers a promising solution. With remote work reducing the need for traditional office space, repurposing these structures could alleviate housing scarcity in urban areas. However, challenges like zoning changes and building suitability must be addressed. Learn more about the possibilities and hurdles of this innovative idea: https://lnkd.in/ewfdEDbk #HousingCrisis #UrbanDevelopment #AdaptiveReuse #AffordableHousing #HousingSolutions #UrbanRevitalization