Conceptualizing Community Health + Wellbeing

Community wellbeing is not simply the absence of disease or illness. It bundles together a number of separate but linked physical, mental, economic, and social factors that allow a community to thrive. It considers basic needs like the availability of food, housing, education, employment, and income; and complex social and emotional needs such as happiness, sense of place, social connection, and life satisfaction. When looking at communities as a whole, typically there are three combined factors that play a large role in wellbeing (UMN, 2020): connectedness, livability, and equity.

Community wellbeing and resilience are closely related. Wellbeing encompasses the goals and priorities identified as of greatest importance to the community today, and resilience relates more closely to expectations about future wellbeing. Community wellbeing and overall ability to cope and adapt over time is closely tied to the physical, social, and economic circumstances that people are born into, grow up with, and live in. Prolonged or repeated exposure to negative environmental impacts or crises result in physical and mental tolls to both individuals and communities.

In the face of increasing risk, improving community wellbeing requires reducing the challenges that negatively affect daily life, and encouraging processes that enhance the ability to adapt and cope. These processes – collectively defined as community resilience – aim to 1) enhance community wellbeing in the face of sudden and chronic stresses, 2) build capacity to respond to disruption, and 3) shape a better future as defined by locally prioritized cultural and social values and principles of sustainability. Local engagement (particularly of under-represented populations) in activities that allow the community to collectively define wellbeing are important to wellbeing today and to future resilience.

community wellbeing

Community wellbeing is the social, economic, environmental, cultural, and political conditions identified by community members as essential for them to cope with the normal stresses of life and fulfil their potential.

-Wiseman and Brasher, 2008, p. 358

Community Wellbeing Foundational Concepts

CONNECTEDNESS

Connection is fostered by a community’s networks that provide social support, enhance trust, foster civic engagement, and empower community members to participate in community and democracy.

LIVABILITY

Livable communities are supported by functional infrastructure, including safe housing, accessible transportation, high quality education, parks and recreation, human services, public safety, and relevant arts and culture.

EQUITY

An equitable community is supported by values of diversity, social justice, and individual empowerment where everyone is treated fairly, basic needs are met, and there is an equal opportunity to get education and meet individual potential.

1 Residents of all ages benefit from healthy, active lifestyles.

A CASE STUDY: Planning for Wellbeing

In 2009, Albert Lea, a small town in Minnesota, began to change. The community found itself in the midst of an economic downturn and decided to take part in a wellbeing project known as Blue Zones, which focused on improving the vitality of the community. Working with a team of researchers, community members identified a number of small lifestyle changes that could add up to large community benefits. These changes include bicycle and pedestrian-friendly community design improvements to connect neighborhoods, parks, and local destinations; encouraging local restaurants and groceries to sell fresher and healthier food; and creating programs to support public health (e.g. smoking cessation, workplace improvements, and recreation). The results of the project were significant. It is estimated that Albert Lea residents saw increased public health impacts, reduced health care costs, and improved business productivity.

2 Community events showcase how streets can be transformed into spaces for active living.