D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 1107
1107.1 Healthy communities, where social and structural determinants of health are met and supported, are also resilient communities. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS), “health is a key foundation of resilience because almost everything we do to prepare for disaster and preserve infrastructure is ultimately in the interest of preserving human health and welfare.” Communities with poor health outcomes and disparities in disease incidence, physical activity levels, and healthy food and health care access are more vulnerable and slower to recover from major shocks and chronic stressors. When these social and structural determinants of health are addressed, communities improve their ability to withstand and recover from disaster, becoming more resilient.
1107.2 While much focus is given to the vulnerability of the built environment and physical systems, underlying social and economic conditions of communities also play a significant role in their ability to recover rapidly from system shocks, such as extreme weather events, public health emergencies, or security incidents. Thus, community resilience is directly related to the ability of a community to use its assets to improve the physical, behavioral, and social conditions to withstand, adapt to, and recover from adversity.
1107.3 Given the strong links among resilience and community health, equity, and social cohesion, communities can employ multiple strategies to become more resilient, including improving access to health care facilities and social services, increasing access to healthy foods, expanding communication and collaboration within communities so that individuals can help each other during adverse events, and providing equitable disaster planning and recovery, recognizing that some areas of the District will be more heavily impacted than others due to existing socioeconomic conditions and other factors. These cross-cutting components of resilience and public health are addressed with policies that are contained throughout the Comprehensive Plan. While this section focuses on health facilities and services, it is important to understand these within the broader context of health in all policies, equity, and resilience.
Leverage the links between behavioral health and the resilience of individuals to bolster District efforts to build community resilience. These factors include programs and activities that enhance the well-being of Washington, DC residents by preventing or intervening in behavioral health issues, depression or anxiety, and substance abuse. These and other measures can strengthen the ability of individuals, households, and neighborhoods to be prepared for and recover from potential emergencies and disasters.
1107.5
Assess the impacts of adverse events on communities with varying socioeconomic characteristics and levels of vulnerability. Track disparities in impacts to help inform response and recovery strategies aimed at reducing inequity and strengthening communities.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).