Health care is a major issue in this country. There are numerous factors that contribute to the state of our health: diet, exercise, and access to good hospitals are just a few. Yet recent research has revealed that your zip code determines more about your health than even your genetic code, according to an article by Emily Orminski. In fact, up to 60% of our health is determined solely by where we live.

This means that income and wealth, housing, access to healthy food, investments in business, and the local economy are some of the largest factors affecting our health. Our environments matter more than if mom had high blood pressure. Please don’t get me wrong: family history is a determinant, but zip code matters more. What this means to me is that our work on the lived environment must become a larger conversation. Living in a decent house is just as important as having access to a gym. We could replace workout facilities with good local markets and give people a longer life expectancy.

This also means that a local park, improved wealth, investment dollars, and a community health center are the largest factors in seeing people live longer and healthier lives. Change these things in one zip code, a single neighborhood, and it can literally make the difference between life and death for the residents in that neighborhood. What would happen if healthcare workers started asking where you live, as well as inquiring about your parents’ and grandparents’ medical history to determine how to improve your health? What changes would happen at the community, state, and national level if we shifted our focus to our lived environment when talking about health care in our country?

Communities with healthy lived environments make healthier people, and healthier people create better societies and, ultimately, a more peaceful world. As we enter the holiday season, let us also reflect on the importance of our environment and its impact on our health. Let us make it a part of our rituals to support local businesses, invest in community projects, and promote equality and access to resources for all. Together, we can create a more peaceful and healthier world for everyone.