KSL NewsRadio FILE- The Utah Department of Health and Human Services just launched the Utah Healthy Places Index tool.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health and Human Services released a new tool Thursday aimed at showing people what is affecting their health.
The executive director of the DHHS, Tracy Gruber, said the new tool, called the “Utah Healthy Places Index,” breaks down factors that impact a person’s health by neighborhood.
Guber said the tool uses data about healthy food and water, good job opportunities and access to education to show communities what areas need improvement.
The DHHS said the lack of education, housing, clean air and transportation are just a few of the items which can take a toll on our health.
The DHHS hopes the information creates more equitable neighborhoods. Community organizations, businesses and local government entities can use the tool to take those factors into account for future.
The HPI tool is available on the DHHS website.