Resources

We regularly feature new resources here – resources that we’ve produced as well as those from external sources we think you might find useful. Take a look and check back here for new updates.

Healthy Places Index

Every person in Northern Virginia should have the opportunity to achieve optimal health. The Healthy Places Index (HPI) is a powerful new tool, developed by the Center on Society and Health at Virginia Commonwealth University, to assist you in exploring local factors that predict life expectancy and comparing community conditions across the region. The HPI scores range from 0-100, where higher scores reflect areas with more resources for health and longer life expectancies.

foundation resource

How Healthy Is Northern Virginia?

A 2013 report by the Northern Virginia Health Foundation found that while many residents in this affluent region are in good health, significant numbers of residents of all ages and income levels struggle, particularly when it comes to obesity, dental care, mental health, and other health measures.

foundation resource

Northern Virginia Health Foundation 5-Year Report

In its first five years, NVHF listened, learned, and took steps to begin to craft a role for itself that reflects its commitment to making a meaningful difference to those most in need. This five-year retrospective offers some insights into what the Foundation learned—and where it wants to go.

foundation resource

Region Forward Coalition's Projects Underway

Learn about projects underway by the Region Forward Coalition, a group of regional leaders working collaboratively on solutions that strengthen the region’s economy and quality of life. Region Forward is an initiative of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

external resource

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Social Determinants of Health

Good health begins in the places where we live, learn, work and play. Although medical care is critically important, things like the quality of our schools, affordability and stability our housing, access to good jobs with fair pay, and the safety of our neighborhoods can keep us healthy in the first place. Visit the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's website to learn more about the importance of the social determinants of health.

external resource

National Association of County and City Health Officials's Health in All Policies Resources

Health in all Policies (HiAP) is a change in the systems that determine how decisions are made and implemented by local, state, and federal government to ensure that policy decisions have neutral or beneficial impacts on the determinants of health. HiAP emphasizes the need to collaborate across sectors to achieve common health goals, and is an innovative approach to the processes through which policies are created and implemented. Resources provided by the National Association of County and City Health Officials - including webinars, interactive maps and more - highlight how communities are using health in all policies approaches to improve health.

external resource

A Portrait of our Aging Population in Northern Virginia

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia's 2014 report "A Portrait of our Aging Population in Northern Virginia," examines the population 65 and older in the Northern Virginia region. This report highlights demographic, economic, and social trends that impact older adults in the region. It uses current data and population projections to identify current needs and to plan for future needs of this population, expected to grow by 76% the coming years.

external resource