The Role of Local Government in Promoting Well-being is a very interesting British report written by the New Economics Foundation for Local Government Improvement and Development and the National Mental Health Development Unit. It highlights the levers local governments have, in collaboration with community organizations, that can enhance overall population health.
They emphasize that “creating the conditions for well-being requires a whole-population focus, including the need to consider nurturing psycho-social wellbeing alongside material wellbeing.” They “aim to dispel a common misconception – that wellbeing is first and foremost a health issue to be dealt with by health professionals. We know that the factors underpinning wellbeing are largely social, not medical, in nature.” The report sets out concrete actions and directions local governments can take in planning, social service, transportation, education, recreation and housing that support overall population health and address systemic inequalities. While the context for Canadian cities is very different than in the UK, there are many insights here on the scope and role that our local governments and communities can play in addressing population health.