In the Netherlands, a new law is being prepared: the Environmental Planning Act. It aims to integrate regulation of human activities with an effect on the physical environment, hoping to make it safer, healthier and of better quality. Public health is an important issue in this respect. What does this mean in the practice of spatial planning? All local and regional authorities will be required to draft environmental planning strategies. The joint regional Health Authorities, responsible for Dutch public health, will present their ‘public health message’ draft, meant to be adapted by all parties involved. Did we identify the major issues or did we miss an crucial aspect? We would welcome a diverse international audience.