The built environment shapes how we move, and in doing so, it shapes who gets to be healthy. Until every community is built for movement, physical activity will remain a privilege, not a choice.

Now, if you’ve been paying attention to the state of public health over the past few years, or even the past few months, it’s hard not to feel frustrated by the sheer hypocrisy and hollowness of these statements. My issue with this kind of messaging is simple: talk of “real food” or professed “concern” for the nation’s health means very little when the structural barriers that prevent millions of people from accessing affordable, nutrient‑dense foods remain unaddressed.

The fact remains that we cannot isolate environmental circumstances or social infrastructure from health outcomes as they are inextricably linked. This link should be a public health priority and the first line of defense when we seek to address health, as it holds the keys to transforming health in scalable and sustainable measures. What would our food systems look like if they were designed for dignity, not just convenience?