The NHS has launched the initiative, supported by Public Health England, to test creative solutions for the health and care challenges of the 21st century, including obesity and dementia.
Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: “The much-needed push to kick start affordable housing across England creates a golden opportunity for the NHS to help promote health and keep people independent.
"As these new neighbourhoods and towns are built, we’ll kick ourselves if in ten years time we look back having missed the opportunity to ‘design out’ the obesogenic environment, and ‘design in’ health and wellbeing.
The first ten areas to have been chosen are: Whitehill and Bordon, Hampshire; Cranbrook, Devon; Darlington; Barking Riverside; Whyndyke Farm in Fylde, Lancashire; Halton Lea, Runcorn; Bicester, Oxon; Northstowe, Cambridgeshire; Ebbsfleet Garden City, Kent; and Barton Park, Oxford.
In total the ten-area scheme will create more than 76,000 new homes with the potential capacity for 170,000 residents.
Professor Kevin Fenton, national director for health and wellbeing at Public Health England, said: “Some of the UK’s most pressing health challenges – such as obesity, mental health issues, physical inactivity and the needs of an ageing population – can all be influenced by the quality of our built and natural environment. The considerate design of spaces and places is critical to promote good health. This innovative programme will inform our thinking and planning of everyday environments to improve health for generations to come.
“PHE is proud to have played an active role in the development of the Healthy New Towns programme and we will continue to support the delivery of high quality, healthy environments.”