What if we could take a magic pill that allowed us to eat only junk food and travel only by car and yet never get fat, suffer from diabetes, or need repeated fillings? Of course we’d still have plenty of car crashes and would lose the pleasure of enjoying fresh, healthy foods. We might also lose our farmers’ markets and some other urban amenities. Life would get even more difficult for those who can’t or don’t want to drive, including children. Part of what I love about my job is that different aspects of it all fit together and lead not only to better health but also greater happiness. We could get more exercise and more pleasure by walking and cycling to school, work, and social events. Fewer cars mean less noise, less pollution, fewer car crashes, and more space for important amenities like parks, plazas, and playgrounds. A healthy diet not only makes us healthier but makes us feel good…and means more people growing and selling vegetables, preferably in and near our communities. And the benefits continue: burning more calories and less fuel would mean less climate change, lighter traffic, and more enjoyable (and probably quicker) commutes. We could be healthier and happier, living in more sociable and less polluted communities. Sound too good to be true? Sometimes we sell ourselves short and get less than we could if we took a broader view. If you’re interested in learning more, please see our short book, Broadening the Focus from Tobacco Control to NCD Prevention: Enabling Environments for Better Health. HealthBridge. July 2013, available on our website under tobacco control publications: http://www.healthbridge.ca/healthbridge_publications.html.