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EVERETT 2044 <br />COMPREHENSIVE PLAN <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 6/17/2025 <br />COMPREHENSIVE PLAN <br />HEALTHY COMMUNITIES ELEMENT <br /> Page 158 <br />Healthy Communities Element <br />Vision: Everett is a caring community, built on trust, inclusion, and equity. <br />Element Scope: The Healthy Community element details a range of programs and services to enhance <br />the well-being of residents to meet essential human needs. <br />A Healthy Community <br />“The way we design and build our communities can affect our physical and mental health. Healthy <br />community design integrates evidence-based health strategies into community planning, transportation, <br />and land-use decisions.” Centers for Disease Control <br />The City recognizes that each community member needs to have a sense of belonging, support in their <br />community, and access to opportunities that fulfill the basic needs of life. Being inclusive means <br />demonstrating a recognition that our community is enriched by people from many racial and ethnic <br />groups and faith traditions and from all socioeconomic levels. It is important that people whose <br />ancestors lived on this land for centuries or their families have resided in Everett for generations or are <br />recent arrivals feel welcome and safe. Each of them adds to the cultural tapestry and richness of the <br />community. <br />A healthy community is characterized by a clean and safe physical environment, access to quality <br />healthcare, sustainable practices, a strong economy with adequate jobs, good education opportunities, <br />a focus on environmental quality, and a sense of safety and well-being for all residents; essentially <br />prioritizing both physical and social health within the community. <br />The World Health Organization recognizes these key characteristics of a healthy community: <br />• Clean and safe environment: This includes clean air, water, sanitation, proper waste disposal, <br />and protection from environmental hazards like radiation. <br />• Sustainable development: A focus on practices that do not deplete resources for future <br />generations. <br />• Access to healthcare: Availability of quality healthcare services for all residents. <br />• Quality education: Opportunities for education and skill development for all community <br />members. <br />• Strong economy: A diverse and thriving economy with adequate employment opportunities. <br />• Social inclusion: Promoting equity and addressing social disparities within the community. <br />• Community engagement: Encouraging participation and involvement of residents in decision- <br />making processes. <br />• Healthy lifestyle promotion: Encouraging healthy behaviors like physical activity, balanced diet, <br />and stress management. <br />• Safe public spaces: Well-designed and maintained public areas that promote safety and well- <br />being. <br />• Environmental awareness: Understanding and taking steps to protect the natural environment. <br />The Everett 2044 Comprehensive Plan is the long-range plan for the growth and development of Everett <br />over the next 20 years. Every element of the plan has a role in creating a safe and healthy environment