SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
'1~) 
JAN -s P 3 :59 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO SUPPORT HEALTH IMPACT 
ASSESSMENTS AND TAKE OTHER ACTIONS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND THE 
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF COMMUNITIES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2 provides: 
Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them, 
Section 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a 
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of natnre. 
The environments in our homes and communities pose long-term risks to our health. 
Whether it be the location of a toxic waste dump, traffic patterns allowing diesel-powered trucks 
to rumble past a school, or cancer-causing formaldehyde in our homes and offices, the places we 
live and work in can calise real hazards to our health, 
It is important for the government to provide support for efforts to improve community 
design and will issue grants to allow local governments and communities to address 
environmental health hazards in the grassroots leveL 
It is also important to ensure that 
communities are involved in public health decisions that directly impact them. 
This bill seeks to require government agencies to support health impact assessments and 
take other actions to improve health and the environmental quality of communities. 
~\w 4¥.- !),~ 
MIRIAM DEFE~SOR SA'kl'lAfO 
1f 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PI-IILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENA1l\ 
S. No. 
2~60 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
'\5 JAN-5 P3:59 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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AN ACT 
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REQUIRING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO SUPPORT HEALTH IMPACT 
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ASSESSMENTS AND TAKE OTHER ACTIONS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND THE 
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ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF COMMUNITIES 
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SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Healthy Places Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and advance 
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the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and 
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harmony of nature. Pursuant to this policy, this Act shall require government agencies to support 
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health impact assessments and take other actions to improve the health and the environmental 
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quality of communities. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
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(a) "Built environment" means an environment consisting of all buildings, spaces, and 
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products that are created or modified by people, including -
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(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
homes, schools, workplaces, parks and recreation areas, greenways, 
business areas, and transportation systems; 
electric tral1Smission lines; 
waste disposal sites; and 
land-use planning and policies that impact urban, rural, and suburban 
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communities. 
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(b) "Environmental health" means the health and well-being of a population as affected 


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by-
(1) 
(2) 
the direct pathological effects of chemicals, radiation, and some biological 
agents; and 
the effects of the broad physical, psychological, social, and aesthetic 
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environment. 
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( c) "Health impact assessment" means any combination of procedures, methods, tools, 
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and means used under section 4 to analyze the actual or potential effects of a policy, program, or 
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project on the health of a population, including the distribution of those effects within the 
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population. 
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SECTION 4. Inter-Agency Working Group on Environmental Health. -
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(a) Establishment -
The Secretary of Health, in coordination with the Secretary of 
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Environment and Natural Resources, shall establish an Inter-Agency Working Group to discuss 
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environmental health concerns, particularly concerns disproportionately affecting disadvantaged 
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populations. 
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(b) 
Membership -- The Inter-Agency Working Group shall be composed of a 
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representative from each department or government agency (as appointed by the head of the 
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department or government agency) that has jurisdiction over, or is affected by, environmental 
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policies and projects, including -
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(I) 
the Department of Agriculture; 
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(2) 
the Department of Trade and Industry; 
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(3) 
the Department of National Defense; 
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(4) 
the Department of Education; 
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(5) 
the Department of Energy; 
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(6) 
the Department of Health; 
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(7) 
the Depmiment of Interior and Local Government; 
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(8) 
the Department of Labor and Employment; 
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(9) 
the Department of Department of Transportation and Communications; 
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(10) 
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and 
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(11) 
such other government agencies as the Secretaxy of Health and the 
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall jointly determine to 
be appropriate. 
(c) Duties - The Inter-Agency Working Group shall--
(I) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 
(6) 
facilitate communication and partnership on environmental health-related 
projects and policies -
(i) 
(ii) 
to generate a better understanding of the interactions between 
policy areas; and 
to raise awareness of the relevance of health across policy areas to 
ensure that the potential positive and negative health consequences 
of decisions are not overlooked; 
serve as a centralized mechanism to coordinate a national effoli -
(i) 
(ii) 
to discuss and evaluate evidence and knowledge on the 
relationship between the general environment and the health of the 
population of the Philippines; 
to determine the range of effective, feasible, and comprehensive 
actions to improve environmental health; and 
(iii) 
to examine and better address the influence of social and 
environmental determinants of health; 
survey departments and government agencies to determine which policies 
are effective in encouraging, and how best to facilitate outreach without 
duplicating, efforts relating to environmental health promotion; 
establish specific goals within and across departments and government 
agencies for environmental health promotion, including determinations of 
accountability for reaching those goals; 
develop a strategy for allocating responsibilities and ensuring participation 
in environmental health promotions, particularly in the case of competing 
agency priorities; 
coordinate 
plans 
to 
communicate 
research 
results 
relating 
to 
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(7) 
(8) 
(9) 
environmental health to enable reporting and outreach activities to 
produce more useful and timely information; 
establish an interdisciplinary committee to continue research efforts to 
further understand the relationship between the built environment and 
health factors (including air quality, physical activity levels, housing 
quality, access to primary health care practitioners and health care 
facilities, injury risk, and availability of nutritional, fresh food) that 
coordinates the expertise of the public health, urban planning, and 
transportation communities; 
develop an appropriate research agenda for departments and government 
agencies -
(i) 
(ii) 
to support--
(aa) 
longitudinal studies; 
(bb) 
rapid-response capability to evaluate natural conditions and 
occurrences; and 
(cc) 
extensions of national databases; and 
to review evaluation and economic data relating to the impact of 
government interventions on the prevention of environmental 
health concerns; 
initiate environmental health impact demonstration projects to develop 
integrated place-based models for addressing community quality-of-life 
issues; 
(10) 
provide a description of evidence-based best practices, model programs, 
effective guidelines, and other strategies for promoting environmental 
health; 
(11) 
make recommendations to improve government efforts relating to 
environmental health promotion and to ensure government efforts are 
consistent with available standards and evidence and other programs in 
existence as of the date of enactment of this Act; 
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(d) 
(12) 
monitor government progress in meeting specific environmental health 
promotion goals; 
(13) 
assist in ensuring, to the maximum extent practicable, integration of the 
impact of environmental policies, programs, and activities of the 
government; 
(14) 
assist in the expansIOn of national public health and travel surveys to 
provide more detailed information about the connection between the built 
environment and health; 
(15) 
assist in the development of interdisciplinary education programs-
(i) 
(i i) 
to train professionals in conducting recommended research; and 
to prepare practitioners with appropriate skills at the intersection of 
physical activity, public health, transportation, and urban planning; 
and 
(16) 
assist the Secretary of Health with the development of guidance [or the 
assessment of the potential health effects of land use, housing, and 
transportation policy and plans. 
Meetings -
(1) 
IN GENERAL - The Inter-Agency Working Group shall meet at least 
three (3) times each year. 
(2) 
ANNUAL CONFERENCE - The Secretary of Health shall sponsor an 
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annual conference on environmental health and health disparities to 
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enhance coordination, build partnerships, and share best practices in 
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environmental health data collection, analysis, and reporting. 
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(e) Authorization of Appropriations - There are anthorized to be appropriated such sums 
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as are necessary to carry out this section. 
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SECTION 5. Health [mpact Assessments. -
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(a) 
Definition of Term. - In this section, the term "eligible entity" means any unit of 
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the national government or local governments the jurisdiction of which includes individuals or 
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populations the health of which are or will be affected by an activity or a proposed activity. 
(b) 
(c) 
Establishment - The Secretary of Health shall-
(I) 
establish a program focused on advancing the field of health impact 
assessment, including .-
(2) 
(3) 
(i) 
collecting and disseminating best practices; 
(ii) 
administering capacity building grants, m accordance with 
subsection (d); 
(iii) 
providing technical assistance; 
(iv) 
providing training; 
(v) 
conducting evaluations; and 
(vi) 
awarding competitive extramural research grants; 
in accordance with subsection (f), develop guidance to conduct health 
impact assessments; and 
establish a grant program to allow eligible entities to conduct health 
impact assessments. 
Guidance - The Secretary of Health, m collaboration with the Inter-Agency 
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Working Group, shall-
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(I) 
develop guidance for the assessment of the potential health effects of land 
use, housing, and transportation policy and plans, including-
(i) 
(ii) 
background on international effOJ1s to bridge urban planning and 
public health institutions and disciplines, including a review of 
health impact assessment best practices internationally; 
evidence-based causal 
pathways that link urban plam1ing, 
transportation, and housing policy and objectives to human health 
objectives; 
(iii) 
data resources and quantitative and qualitative forecasting methods 
(iv) 
to evaluate both the status of health determinants and health 
effects; and 
best practices for inclusive public involvement in plalming and 
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(d) 
(2) 
(3) 
decision-making; 
not later tban one (l) year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
promulgate tbe guidance; and 
present the guidance to the public at the annual conference described in 
section 3( d)(2). 
Grant Program - The Secretary of Health, shall establish a program under which 
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the Secretary shall provide funding and technical assistance to eligible entities to prepare health 
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impact assessments -
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(e) 
(1) 
(2) 
to ensure that appropriate health factors are taken into consideration as 
early as practicable during any planning, review, or decision-making 
process; and 
to evaluate the effect on the health of individuals and populations, and on 
social and economic development, of decisions made outside of the health 
sector that result in modifications of a physical or social environment. 
Applications -
(1) 
IN GENERAL - To receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity 
(2) 
shall submit to the Secretary of Health an application in accordance with 
this subsection, in such time, in such manner, and containing such 
additional information as the Secretary may require. 
INCLUSION -
(i) 
IN GENERAL - An application under this subsection shall include 
an assessment by the eligible entity of the probability that an 
applicable activity or proposed activity will have at least 1 
significant, adverse health effect on an individual or population in 
the jurisdiction of the eligible entity, based on the criteria 
described in subparagraph (ii). 
(ii) 
CRITERIA - The criteria referred to in subparagraph (i) include, 
with respect to the applicable activity or proposed activity-
(aa) 
allY substantial adverse effect on-
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(1) 
existing air quality, ground or surface water quality 
or quantity, or traffic or noise levels; 
(II) 
a significant habitat area; 
(III) 
physical activity; 
(IV) 
injury; 
(V) 
mental health; 
(VI) 
social capital; 
(VII) 
accessibility; 
(VIII) the character or quality of an important historical, 
archeological, architectural, or aesthetic resource 
(including 
neighborhood 
character) 
of 
the 
community of the eligible entity; or 
(IX) 
any other natural resource; 
(bb) 
any increase in-
(I) 
(II) 
solid waste production; or 
problems relating to erosion, flooding, leaching, or 
drainage; 
(cc) 
any requirement that a large quantity of vegetation or fauna 
be removed or destroyed; 
(dd) 
any conflict with the plans or goals of the community of the 
eligible entity; 
(ee) 
any major change in the quantity or type of energy used by· 
the community of the eligible entity; 
(ff) 
any hazard presented to human health; 
(gg) 
any substantial change in the usc, or intensity of use, of 
land in the jurisdiction of the eligible cntity, including 
agricultural, open space, and recreational uses; 
(hh) 
the probability that the activity or proposed activity will 
result in an increase in tourism in the jurisdiction of the 
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(f) 
(3) 
(ii) 
(jj) 
eligible entity; 
any substantial, adverse aggregate impact on environmental 
health resulting from -
(I) 
(II) 
changes caused by the activity or proposed activity 
to 2 or more elements ofthe environment; or 
2 or more related actions carried out under the 
activity or proposed activity; and 
any other significant change of concern, as determined by 
the eligible entity. 
FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION- In making an assessment under 
subparagraph (2) (i), an eligible entity may take into consideration any 
reasonable, direct, indirect, or cumulative effect relating to the applicable 
activity or proposed activity, including the effect of any action that is-
(i) 
(ii) 
included in the long-range plan relating to the activity or proposed 
activity; 
likely to be carried out in coordination with the activity or 
proposed activity; 
(iii) 
dependent on the occurrence of the activity or proposed activity; or 
(iv) 
likely to have a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged 
populations. 
Use of Funds -
(I) 
(2) 
IN GENERAL - An eligible entity shall use assistance received under this 
section to prepare and submit to the Secretary of Health a health impact 
assessment in accordance with this subsection. 
PURPOSES --l11e purposes of a health impact assessment are--
(i) 
(ii) 
to facilitate the involvement of national and local health officials in 
community planning and land use decisions to identify any 
potential health concern relating to an activity or proposed activity; 
to provide for an investigation of any health-related issue 
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(3) 
(4) 
addressed in an environmental impact statement or policy appraisal 
relating to an acti vity or a proposed activity; 
(iii) 
\0 describe and 
compare alternatives (including no-action 
alternatives) to an activity or a proposed activity to provide 
clarification with respect to the costs and benefits of the activity or 
proposed activity; and 
(iv) 
to contribute to the findings of an environmental impact statement 
with respect to the terms and conditions of implementing an 
activity or a proposed activity, as necessary. 
REQUIREMENTS -
A health impact assessment prepared under this 
subsection sha11--
(i) 
(ii) 
describe the relevance of the applicable activity or proposed 
activity (including the policy of the activity) with respect to health 
isslles; 
assess each health impact of the applicable activity or proposed 
activity; 
(iii) 
provide recommendations of the eligible entity with respect to-
(iv) 
(v) 
(aa) 
the mitigation of any adverse impact on health of the 
applicable activity or proposed activity; or 
(bb) 
the encouragement of any positive impact of the applicable 
activity or proposed activity; 
provide for monitoring of the impacts on health of the applicable 
activity or proposed activity, as the eligible entity determines to be 
appropriate; and 
include a list of each comment received with respect to the health 
impact assessment under this section. 
METHODOLOGY - In preparing a health impact assessment under this 
subsection, an eligible entity-· 
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(g) 
(i) 
shall follow guidelines developed by the Secretary of Health, in 
collaboration with the Inter-Agency Working Group, that-
(aa) 
will be established not later than I year after the date of 
enactme!lt orthis Act; and 
(bb) 
will be made publicly available at the annual conference 
described in section 3(d)(2); and 
(cc) 
may establish a balance, as the eligible entity determines to 
be appropriate, between the use of-
(I) 
(II) 
rigorous 
methods 
requiring 
special 
skills 
or 
increased use of resources; and 
expedient, cost-effective measures. 
Public Participation -
(I) 
IN GENERAL -
Before preparing and submitting to the Secretary of 
Health a final health impact assessment, an eligible entity shall request and 
take into consideration public and agency comments, in accordance with 
this subsection. 
(2) 
(3) 
REQUIREMENT - Not later than thirty (30) days after the date 011 which 
a draft health impact assessment is completed, an eligible entity shall 
submit the draft health impact assessment to each department and 
government agency, and local government, that-
(i) 
(ii) 
(iii) 
has jurisdiction with respect to the activity or proposed activity to 
which the health impact assessment applies; 
has special knowledge with respect to an environmental or health 
impact of the activity or proposed activity; or 
is authorized to develop or enforce any environmental standard 
relating to the activity or proposed activity. 
COMMENTS REQUESTED -
(i) 
REQUEST BY EUGlBLE ENTITY- An eligible entity may 
request comments with respect to a health impact assessment from-
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(4) 
(ii) 
(aa) 
affected indigenous communities; 
(bb) 
interested or affected individuals or organizations; and 
(cc) 
any other national or local agency, as the eligible entity 
determines to be appropriate. 
REQUEST BY OTHERS -
Any interested or affected agency, 
organization, or individual may-
(aa) 
request an opportunity to comment on a health impact 
assessment; and 
(bb) 
submit to the appropriate eligible entity comments with 
respect to the health impact assessment by not later than -
(I) 
(II) 
for a national or local government agency, the date 
on which a final health impact assessment is 
prepared; and 
for any other individual or organization, the date 
described in subclause (I) or another date, as the 
eligible entity may determine. 
RESPONSE TO COMMENTS- A final health impact assessment shall 
describe the response of the eligible entity to comments received within a 
90-day period under this subsection, including -
(i) 
a description of any means by which the eligible entity, as a result 
of such a comment-
(aa) 
modified an alternative recommended with respect to the 
applicable activity or proposed activity; 
(bb) 
developed and evaluated any alternative not previously 
considered by the eligible entity; 
(cc) 
supplemented, improved, or modified an analysis of the 
eligible entity; or 
(dd) 
made any factual correction to 
the health impact 
assessment; and 
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(h) 
(ii) 
for any comment with respect to which the eligible entity took no 
action, an explanation of the reasons why no action was taken and, 
if appropriate, a description of the circumstances under which the 
eligible entity would take such an action. 
Health Impact Assessment Database- The Secretary, shall establish and maintain 
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a health impact assessment database, including .-
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(i) 
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
a catalog of health impact assessments received under this section; 
an inventory of tools used by eligible entities to prepare draft and final 
health impact assessments; and 
guidance for eligible entities with respect to the selection of appropriate 
tools described in paragraph (2). 
Authorization of Appropriations - There are authorized to be appropriated to 
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carry out this section such sums as are necessary. 
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SECTION 6. Grant Program. -
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(a) 
Definition of Terms. - In this section, the term: 
(I) 
"Eligible entity" means a local community that-
(i) 
( ii) 
bears a disproportionate burden of exposure to environmental 
health hazards; 
has established a coalition -
(aa) 
with not less than one (1) community-based organization; 
and 
(bb) 
with not less than one (I) -
(1) 
public health entity; 
(II) 
health care provider organization; or 
(III) 
academic institution; 
(iii) 
ensures planned activities and funding streams are coordinated to 
improve community health; and 
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(b) 
(iv) 
submits an application in accordance with subsection (C). 
Establishment - The Secretary of Health shall establish a grant program under 
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which eligible entities shall receive grants to conduct environmental health improvement 
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activities. 
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(c) 
Application - To receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit 
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an application to the Secretary of Health at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such 
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information as the Secretary may require. 
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(d) 
(e) 
Cooperative Agreements - An eligible entity may use a grant under this section-
(1) 
(2) 
to promote environmental health; and 
to address environmental health disparities. 
Amount of Cooperative Agreement·-
(1) 
IN GENERAL -- The Secretary of Health shall award grants to eligible 
entities at the two (2) different funding levels described in this subsection. 
(2) 
LEVEL I COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS -
(i) 
(ii) 
IN GENERAL - An eligible entity awarded a grant under this 
paragraph shall lise the funds to identify environmental health 
problems and solutions by -
(aa) 
establishing a planning and prioritizing council; and 
(bb) 
conducting an environmental health assessment. 
PLANNING AND PRIORITIZING COUNCIL-
(aa) 
IN GENERAL -
A prioritizing and planning council 
established under subparagraph (i) (aa) (referred to in this 
paragraph as a "PPC") shall assist the environmental health 
assessment process and environmental health promotion 
activities orlhe eligible entity. 
(bb) 
MEMBERSHIP - Membership of a PPC shall consist of 
representatives from various organizations within pnblic 
health, planning, development, and environmental services 
and shall include stakeholders from vulnerable groups such 
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as children, the elderly, disabled, and minority ethnic 
groups that are often not actively involved in democratic or 
decision-making processes. 
(cc) 
DUTIES -- A PPC shall-
(I) 
(II) 
identify key stakeholders and engage and coordinate 
potential partners in the planning process; 
establish a formal advisory group to plan for the 
establishment of services; 
(Ill) 
conduct an in-depth review of the nature and extent 
of the need for an environmental health assessment, 
including a local epidemiological profile, an 
evaluation of the service provider capacity of the . 
community, and a profile of any target populations; 
and 
(IV) 
define the components of care and form essential 
programmatic linkages with related providers in the 
community. 
(iii) 
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT -
(aa) 
IN GENERAL - A PPC shall carry out an environmental 
health 
assessment to 
identify 
environmental 
health 
concerns. 
(bb) 
ASSESSMENT PROCESS - The PPC shall-
(1) 
define the goals of the assessment; 
(11) 
generate the environmental health issue list; 
(III) 
analyze issues with a systems framework; 
(IV) 
develop 
appropriate 
community environmental 
health indicators; 
(V) 
rank the environmental health issues; 
(VI) 
set priorities for action; 
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(3) 
(VII) develop an action plan; 
(VIII) implement the plan; and 
(IX) 
evaluate progress and planning for the future. 
(iv) 
EVALUATION - Each eligible entity that receives a grant under 
this paragraph shall evaluate, report, and disseminate program 
findings and outcomes. 
(v) 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE -
The Secretary of Health may 
provide such technical and other non-financial assistance to 
eligible entities as the Secretary determines to be necessary. 
LEVEL 2 COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS-
(i) 
ELIGIBILITY -
(ii) 
(aa) 
IN GENERAL -
The Secretary of Health shall award 
grants under this paragraph to eligible entities that have 
already -
(I) 
(II) 
established broad-based collaborative partnerships; 
and 
completed environmental assessments. 
(bb) 
NO LEVEL I REQUIREMENT - To be eligible to receive 
a grant under this paragraph, an eligible entity is not 
required to have successfully completed a Level I 
Cooperative Agreement. 
USE OF GRANT FUNDS - An eligible entity awarded a grant 
under this paragraph shall use the funds to further activities to 
carry out environmental health improvement activities, including -
(aa) 
addressing community environmental health priorities, 
including -
(I) 
air quality; 
(II) 
water quality; 
(1II) 
solid waste; 
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(0 
(IV) 
land use; 
(V) 
housing; 
(VI) 
food safely; 
(VII) 
Crinle; 
(VIII) injuries; and 
(IX) 
healthcare services; 
(bb) 
building partnerships between planning, public health, and 
other sectors, to address how the built environment impacts 
food availability and access and physical activity to 
promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles and reduce obesity 
and related co-morbidities; 
(cc) 
establishing programs to address -
(1) 
(II) 
how environmental and social conditions of work 
and living choices influence physical activity and 
dietary intake; or 
how those conditions influence the concerns and 
needs of people who have impaired mobility and 
use assistance devices, including wheelchairs and 
lower limb prostheses; and 
(dd) 
convening intervention programs that examine the role of 
the social environment in connection with the physical and 
chemical environment in-
(I) 
(1I) 
determining access to nutritional food; and 
improving physical activity to reduce morbidity and 
increase quality of life. 
Authorization of Appropriations - There are authorized to be appropriated to 
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carry out this section such sums as are necessary for the period of lIscal years 2016 through 
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2018. 
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SECTION 7. Additional Research on the Relationship Between the Built Environment 
2 
and the Health of Community Residents. -
3 
(a) 
Definition of Term. - In this section, the term "eligible institution'" means a 
4 
public or private nonprofit institution that submits to the Secretary of Health an application for a 
5 
grant under the grant program authorized under subsection (b )(2) at such time, in such manner, 
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and containing such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary may require. 
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(b) 
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Research Grant Program -
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
Definition of Term. - In this section, the term "health" includes -
(i) 
levels of physical activity; 
(ii) 
consumption of nutritional foods; 
(iii) 
rates of crime; 
(iv) 
air, water, and soil quality; 
(v) 
risk of injury; 
(vi) 
accessibility to health care services; and 
(vii) 
other indicators as determined appropriate by the Secretary of 
Health. 
GRANTS - The Secretary shall provide grants to eligible institutions to 
conduct and coordinate research on the built environment and its influence 
on individual and population-based health. 
RESEARCH·- The Secretary shall support research that-
(i) 
(ii) 
,nvestigates and defines the causal links between all aspects of the y 
1\ 
built environment and the health of residents; 
exammes -
(aa) 
tbe extent of the impact oftbe built environment (including 
the various characteristics of the built environment) on the 
health of residents; 
(bb) 
the variancc in tbe healtb of residents by -
(I) 
location (such as inner cities, inner suburbs, and 
outer suburbs); and 
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2 
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(4) 
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(II) 
population subgroup (such as children, the elderly, 
the disadvantaged); or 
(III) 
the importance of the built environment to the total 
health of residents, which is the primary variable of 
interest from a public health perspective; 
(iii) 
is used to develop -
(aa) 
measures to address health and the connection of health to 
the builenvironment; and 
(bb) 
efforts to link the measures to travel and health databases; 
(iv) 
distinguishes carefully between personal attitudes and choices and 
external influences on observed behavior to determine how much 
an observed association between the built environment and the 
health of residents, versus the lifestyle preferences of the people 
that choose to live in the neighborhood, reflects the physical 
characteristics of the neighborhood; and 
(v) 
(aa) identifies or develops effective intervention strategies to 
promote better health among residents with a focus on behavioral 
interventions and enhancements of the built environment that 
promote increased use by residents; and 
(bb) 
in developing the intervention strategies lUlder clause (aa), 
ensmes that the intervention strategies will reach out to 
high-risk populations, including low-income urban and 
rural communities. 
PRIORITY - In providing assistance under the grant program authorized 
under paragraph (2), the Secretary of Health shall give priority to research 
that incorporates -
(i) 
interdisciplinary approaches; or 
(ii) 
the expertise of the public health, physical activity, mban planning, 
and transportation research communities in the United States and 
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abroad. 
2 
(c) 
Authorization of Appropriations - There are authorized to be appropriated such 
3 
sums as arc necessmy to carry out this section. 
4 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - In any provision or pmt hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
6 
valid and SUbsisting. 
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SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
8 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
/jab121S14 
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