Communities must select which geographic definition is appropriate for addressing the broad issue of health. It may also be that for some components of a community's plan, different geographic descriptions will be the focal point for action. The process, however, must include a representative group of stakeholders from the community that is defined for a particular issue. Building a healthier community does not have a specified outcome, but it creates an environment that allows the community to thrive and work toward a higher quality of life. The creation of such an environment will require actions at all levels, from changes in public policies to changes in service delivery patterns to meet specific needs.
Healthy communities allow their citizens to grow and to be healthy.
Consequently, each community's process to become a Healthy Community is unique and is impacted by the particular character of the community, the nature of the project, the resources available within the community, and the participants in the process.