Environments / Physical Health
This work group will explore the many facets of environmental and physical health by identifying opportunities to support healthy lifestyle choices, meet basic human needs, and engage with the physical environment through sustainability.
Creating Supportive Environments
Enhance the environment by identifying opportunities to support health and well-being through sustainability in the built, natural, social, economic, cultural, academic, organizational and learning environments.
Contributing factors:
- NDSU infrastructure (including physical plant and future planning) incorporates light, green space, bike-friendly and walkable space, noise reduction/quiet space, gender-neutral restrooms, lactation space, etc.
- Environmentally sustainable practices are part of NDSU operations: Recycling, composting, wind/solar energy, gardens, etc.
- Infrastructure, systems, practices, values, and normative behaviors contribute to sufficient and equitable opportunities, resources, conditions, and other socioecological factors that make NDSU conducive to the achievement of full potential beyond what is possible for a single individual.
- Recognition that NDSU is embedded in a larger society and is dependent on the well-being of the ecosystems of the surrounding community, the state of North Dakota, and beyond.
Meeting Basic Physical Health Needs
Provide the resources and opportunities for the NDSU community to participate in healthy lifestyle choices, meet basic human needs, and engage with the physical environment resulting in lifelong well-being practices.
Contributing factors:
- Students, faculty and staff have the education and resources to effectively manage their physical health, the services to address physical health needs, and the awareness and ability to access these resources.
- Collaboration and partnerships across the NDSU community creates accessible education, programs, policies, and infrastructure that support physical health for all persons and abilities.
- Evidence-based programs, services, education, and resources regarding healthy personal choice options are resourced and optimized to meet priority community needs.
- Information, education and training are available and accessible on topics such as nutrition, sleep hygiene, mindfulness, physical activity, substance use, preventative and medical care, etc.
- All basic physical health needs are met (food, clothing, heat, medical care, etc.)