Tool created to assess health impacts of development decisions in Ingham County, Michigan.

Introduction This case study highlights Ingham County Health Department (ICHD) in Lansing, Michigan, which teamed up with diverse partners to begin an environmental health assessment, leading to the development of in­ novative tools such as a Health Impact Plan­ ning Matrix. This effort was considered vital after survey data reflected a negative trend in health status in the region. Additionally, through the environmental health assess­ ment process, citizens called for improve­ ments in the environment, growth, traffic, and overall quality of life. The capital area of Lansing and surrounding metro area is a TriCounty region of nearly 500,000 people (In­ gham, Clinton, and Eaton counties). In this region, population growth and development has shifted over the past 15 years from the urban centers to the rural farmlands. This major expansion of urbanized areas led to mass changes in land use and corresponding health consequences for urban, suburban, and rural residents.