Thriving Natural World as a Vital Condition

Thriving Natural World is about having clean air, clean water, clean land, and well-functioning ecosystems. A healthy environment is one that is free from environmental hazards, one that is resilient to future changes and threats, and one that fulfills our needs to connect with nature.

Many systems in our economy – food, energy, transportation, healthcare, water, and land development – are significantly impacted by the natural environment. A poor environment can lead to acute and chronic health problems. Communities of color and low-income communities are disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards due to past policies and lack of regulation. Climate change can cause severe weather events, flooding, and change growing conditions in food producing areas. Further environmental degradation threatens the natural systems upon which humans rely. While there have been improvements in air quality, reduction in pollution, and management and disposal of hazardous chemicals and waste, serious challenges remain.

Thriving Together: A Springboard for Equitable Recovery & Resilience in Communities Across America

This new report is a joint project of the CDC Foundation and Well Being Trust, coordinated with Community Initiatives and ReThink Health. The report acknowledges that we are now struggling and suffering through profound losses and ghastly experiences of systemic racism. Our resilience and humanity are being tested, yet we have the power to change course together. Communities across the country have an immense reservoir of energy, courage, and imagination. Our best hope for changing course is to organize local and national action around a single, unifying, measurable expectation: All people and places thriving—no exceptions. The report leverages the Vital Conditions for Well-Being framework to provide a "springboard" for communities in recovery and resilience that is imperative to this moment in time. Find the full report and the library of resources and tools coming out of collaborative work to developThriving Together below, and scroll on for more resources to improve thriving natural world in your community.

Thriving Together: A Springboard for Equitable Recovery and Resilience in Communities Across America

Resource - Report

Brought to you by Well Being Trust

Published on 07/04/2020

Thriving Together: A Springboard for Equitable Recovery and Resilience in Communities Across America

Library

Brought to you by Community Commons

Published on 07/27/2020

Below is an audio excerpt from a series of interviews to collect lived experience, community voices, and critical perspectives to inform content and direction in the Springboard report and touches on thriving natural world, specifically.

Opportunities to Improve Thriving Natural World

Some of them most significant opportunities are:

Preserving and restoring environmental systems
Implementing sustainable development practices
Responding to the climate crisis and building resilience

Stories for Inspiration

Explore the stories below to read interesting, engaging content about what is happening at the state, national, and local level to improve thriving natural world.

Environmental Justice from a Physicians Perspective by Donna Christensen

Story - Video

Brought to you by EPA

Air Pollution Tied to 30,000 U.S. Deaths

Story - Written

Brought to you by U.S. News

Data Resources

Explore the data tools below to find data and related resources specifically relevant to thriving natural world.

EJSCREEN: Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool

Tool

Brought to you by EPA

Policy Resources

Explore the resources below that outline one or more policies that specifically seek to improve thriving natural world.

Healthy Places Index Policy Guide - Extreme Heat

Resource - Policy Brief

Healthy Places Index Policy Guide - Tree Canopy

Resource - Policy Brief

HI-5: Clean Diesel Bus Fleets

Resource - Policy Brief

Brought to you by AD for Policy and Strategy

Action & Dialogue Guides

Explore below to find replicable, actionable content that is easily adaptable and/or adoptable as a strategy to improve thriving natur, as well as dialogue guides and tools for in-person and virtual dialogues.

Communities WIN: A Community Guide for Dialogue and Action

Tool - Toolkit/toolbox

Brought to you by Community Commons

Published on 01/22/2020

Bringing the Vital Conditions to Life: Thriving Natural World

Story - Original

Published on 02/27/2020

About the Vital Conditions

Thriving Natural World is one of seven “Vital Conditions” that comprise the Vital Conditions for Health and Well-being framework. This is a useful framework for conceptualizing holistic well-being and the Conditions that give rise to it, as well as identifying opportunities to shift those systems and drive transformative community change and improvement. It brings together major determinants of health, exposing how parts of a multi-faceted whole work as a system to produce equitable well-being. Learn more about the framework.