Fair Health

Health is shaped by the environments people live in every day.

It is influenced by:

• Housing quality

• Walkability

• Public transport

• Access to parks and public space

• Community connection

• Air quality

• Shade and tree canopy

• Access to services and opportunity

• Safety and inclusion

• Social connection and belonging

Health is not only about hospitals or medical systems.

It is also about whether communities support people to:

• Thrive

• Participate

• Feel connected

• Access opportunity

• Live healthy and fulfilling lives

Fair Health recognises that healthier communities are created through connected, inclusive and people-focused environments.

What Does Fair Health Mean? 

Fair Health is about ensuring communities have fair access to the conditions that support wellbeing.

This includes access to:

• Healthy public environments

• Walkable neighbourhoods

• Parks and green space

• Community infrastructure

• Public transport

• Social connection

• Recreation opportunities

• Safe and inclusive places

Health outcomes are influenced by many interconnected systems.

Where people live can affect:

• Physical wellbeing

• Mental health

• Stress levels

• Community participation

• Access to services

• Long-term opportunity

Healthy communities are shaped through both:

• Physical infrastructure, and

• Social infrastructure

Health and Place 

Place influences health every day.

Communities with:

• Walkable streets

• Access to green space

• Public transport

• Safe public environments

• Community facilities

• Opportunities for social connection

can support healthier lifestyles and stronger wellbeing outcomes.

Communities experiencing:

• Long commute times

• Limited public space

• Isolation

• Infrastructure pressure

• Poor environmental conditions

can experience increased stress and reduced wellbeing over time.

Health is closely connected to how communities are planned and experienced.

Mental Health, Connection and Belonging

Community wellbeing is not only physical.

Mental health can also be influenced by:

• Isolation

• Social connection

• Participation

• Access to public life

• Community belonging

• Public space quality

• Everyday stress

People are more likely to thrive when they feel:

• Connected

• Included

• Safe

• Able to participate in community life

Belonging and social cohesion are important parts of long-term community wellbeing.

Healthy communities support both:

• Physical health, and

• Emotional and social wellbeing

Climate, Heat and Health 

Environmental conditions strongly influence community health.

Extreme heat can affect:

• Sleep

• Mental wellbeing

• Physical health

• Outdoor activity

• Community participation

• Access to public space

Communities with:

• Trees and shade

• Cooling infrastructure

• Green space

• Walkable environments

often feel healthier and more comfortable during hot weather.

Climate resilience is increasingly important for long-term public health and community wellbeing.

Young People and Fair Health  

Young people experience health through:

• Schools

• Public space

• Recreation opportunities

• Community participation

• Housing environments

• Transport systems

• Social connection

Healthy environments help support:

• Physical activity

• Mental wellbeing

• Community participation

• Confidence and belonging

• Access to opportunity

Young people should have access to communities that support:

• Wellbeing

• Participation

• Inclusion

• Healthy development

Health and Public Space 

Public space plays an important role in community health.

Parks, libraries, streets and community facilities can support:

• Walking and exercise

• Social connection

• Recreation

• Mental wellbeing

• Community participation

Healthy public environments encourage people to:

• Spend time outdoors

• Connect with others

• Participate in community life

• Access local services and opportunities

Public space is part of community health infrastructure.

Why This Matters for Greater Western Sydney 

Greater Western Sydney is experiencing:

• Rapid population growth

• Infrastructure pressure

• Urban heat challenges

• Housing affordability pressures

• Changing community environments

As communities continue growing, ensuring fair access to healthy and liveable environments becomes increasingly important.

Health equity is closely connected to:

• Infrastructure

• Public space

• Housing

• Climate resilience

• Transport

• Community connection

Healthy communities should not depend on postcode alone.

Fair Health and the Fair Share Framework 

Fair Health is one of the core pillars of the Fair Share Framework.

It recognises that healthier communities require:

• Fair Access

• Fair Opportunity

• Fair Voice

Health is shaped through the interaction between:

• People

• Place

• Infrastructure

• Environment

• Community connection

The framework encourages place-based approaches that support:

• Wellbeing

• Participation

• Resilience

• Long-term liveability

Healthy communities are not only measured by healthcare access.

They are also measured by whether everyday environments support people to thrive.