City of Santa Cruz

The Health in All Policies City Council Committee meets bimonthly on the first Wednesday of the month at 2 pm. Meetings are in person in the City Council Chambers and there is not a virtual or phone option to participate. 

Committee Background

On November 26, 2019, the Santa Cruz City Council demonstrated their commitment to community well-being by voting unanimously to adopt the Health in All Policies (HiAP) policy and implementation recommendations. These recommendations were community informed and developed over an 8-month period by a City Council – Department Head subcommittee. City leaders recognized that community well-being is not simply influenced by individual choices but by the interactions of many factors including the decisions by and policies of local government.

Santa Cruz’s Health in All Policies Journey: Putting Values into Action

As presented by HiAP City Council Committee members to the Society of Practitioners of Health Impact Assessment on October 9, 2024: In Santa Cruz, local government officials believe that community well-being is not simply influenced by individual choices but by the interactions of many factors, including the decisions and policies of local government. Participants heard from City officials about the adoption and integration of a Health in All Policies framework, its role in addressing disparities, and its potential for promoting social equity. Webinar attendees participated in an interactive Q&A session diving into strategies for cultivating healthier communities statewide. Attendees gained valuable takeaways including tools and local government’s operations to identify where the pillars of equity, health, and sustainability are evident or lacking, including specific departments, actions, and potential opportunities for improvement.

A recording of the event can be accessed here.