Healthcare Goes Green Healthcare has faced numerous challenges and critique regarding the snail's pace at which it is joining the movement towards sustainable design and development. Less than 3% of hospitals in the U.S. are LEED certified today.   Data is now emerging from the evaluation of the performance of LEED-certified office buildings and the effects on the occupants of those facilities. The healthcare industry has started to realize that the correlation between well-being, health and building design and construction is a topic worthwhile for further analysis and discussion.   As the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system continues to be refined and analyzed, USGBC has begun to develop specific rating systems for more specialized uses, resulting in a partnership between USGBC and the Green Guide for Health Care in drafting the first version of LEED for Healthcare. Although not yet finalized, it is almost certain that in the future, LEED for Healthcare will be finalized and issued. Click here to read the full article. (PDF)