Local agencies fund some health-related programs and investments directly from existing revenue sources. In many cases these may not be specifically identified as “health” expenditures. Understanding the health implications of a wide range of local agency expenditures and capital investments can yield a variety of co-benefits that include better health outcomes along with other programmatic goals, at little additional cost.

For example, routine maintenance of local streets and roads can include improvements to sidewalks, crosswalks and other facilities that improve pedestrian safety along routes to schools, parks, shops and other walking destinations. Similarly, the local redevelopment agency can provide financial assistance to attract grocery stores as a part of neighborhood revitalization projects.