One’s life expectancy can vary by nearly a quarter-century, depending on the neighbourhood one calls home. Conditions within communities, such as housing options, climate impacts and access to healthcare, contribute to health inequities – avoidable and unfair differences in health outcomes for people and communities. Place-based approaches to healthcare involve collaborative, community-led and long-term work in a defined geographic location. They offer a powerful mechanism to build healthy, inclusive and resilient communities.

This paper provides practical guidance and case studies pertaining to four principles to support organizations in effectively implementing place-based healthcare strategies. These are: community ownership and empowerment, a rigorous analytical approach, purposeful and lasting collaborations, and a sustainable and execution-oriented operating model. By applying these principles, collective action across government, private sector, academia and the community can amplify impact and achieve significant, lasting improvements in health outcomes.