A groundbreaking look at the complex relationship between the built environment and population health in small-town America.

The links between urban settings and health issues are well established, but the built environments of smaller cities and towns also play a crucial role in population well-being. In this book, Mahbub Rashid—who employs innovative spatial and social network analysis techniques to examine the impact of built form and space on people's behavior, psychology, society, and culture—uses extensive spatial, demographic, and health data to study the crucial role of the built environment in small Kansas cities. Rashid reveals the health disparities in these communities and offers spatial design and planning guidelines rooted in the World Health Organization's Healthy Cities and Communities model.

This comprehensive book tackles physical health, mental health, lifestyle, and community well-being, shedding light on the interconnected factors that shape population health. Rashid presents groundbreaking strategies and solutions for public health professionals and policymakers, empowering them to foster healthier communities. The first book of its kind, Built Environment and Population Health in Small-Town America sheds light on the critical factors shaping the well-being of these communities and provides valuable insights for building healthier futures.

Mahbub Rashid (LAWRENCE, KS) is the dean of the School of Architecture and Design at the University of Kansas. He is the author of The Geometry of Urban Layouts: A Global Comparative Study and Physical Space and Spatiality in Muslim Societies: Notes on the Social Production of Cities.