2016 RWJF Culture of Health Prize Winner: Santa Monica

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Data-driven policy is winning in Santa Monica, Calif. (13.1 %Latino).

Santa Monica is committed to improving resident’s health by looking at housing, transportation, parks, and youths, thus was one of seven communities to receive the 2016 RWJF Culture of Health Prize.

In 2012, Santa Monica developed a Wellbeing Index to measure what was hampering or helping the well-being of residents.

“The options we give people really affect their ability to access things that can improve the quality of their lives,” Francie Stefan, Santa Monica mobility manager, said to the RWJF.

Housing. Santa Monica started improving resident’s ability to access to affordable housing decades ago. Santa Monica requires developers to set aside a percentage of newly constructed units for affordable housing. A network of Santa Monica partners—police and fire departments; city human services, health and housing offices; and nonprofit service providers—collaborates to find innovative ways to help the homeless.

Transportation. Improving access also requires mobility. The city has recently added 107 miles of new bike lanes, improved 12 street intersections, and opened a seven-stop Expo rail line. Additionally, Santa Monica’s bus line realigned all 21 routes to make sure each one connected to at least one Expo station. Latinos could benefit from these mobility improvements because they often utilize public transportation more than whites.

Parks. Santa Monica transformed Virginia Avenue Park with a new Pico Branch Library, a teen center, a fitness center with a boxing ring and dance studio for Zumba classes, and meeting spaces for after-school enrichment classes or birthday parties. The area, once ruled by drug-dealing gangs, is now a like a green town square, giving neighbors a way to connect and build resiliency. It is important to improve Latino’s access to safe places to be physically active.

Youth. The 2014 Youth Wellbeing Report Card found high rates of substance abuse, social isolation, bullying and symptoms of depression among young people, resulting in the Santa Monica Cradle to Career program. They invested funds in early childhood development and mental health services in schools. For example, Santa Monica High School will open a school-based health center, the Thrive Center. This could have positive impact on Latino wellbeing.

Miami-Dade also received the 2016 RWJF Culture of Health Prize, read about it here.

Read about how Chicago Public Schools watches over kids as they walk to schools and parks for summer programs here.