OBSERVATIONS - January 29, 2009
Gathering Support for Health Federal Transportation Policy
The Obama Administration's $850 billion stimulus bill now working its way through Congress has been structured around the related objectives of creating jobs, repairing and improving the nation's physical infrastructure, and promoting greater energy independence through new, greener technologies. In each one of these goals opportunities exist for significant progress toward an equally vital objective—creating healthier, safer communities through federal transportation policy reform. This is because our transportation infrastructure is a major contributor to the nation’s disease burden—as it relates to automobile-related injuries, air pollution, asthma, decreased lung function, cardiovascular disease, obesity, health disparities, and access to health care, among other health implications.
Evidence for Action
The American Public Health Association (APHA) has recently examined how the U.S. transportation system shapes communities and affects the health of the people who live, work, and play in them. They conclude that there is already enough evidence to start taking action. Georges Benjamin, MD, APHA’s executive director, writes in the preface of a recent report: “Current research demonstrates that how we build our transportation systems, how and on what modality we use them, and how we get people and things from one place to another affects our health. Enduring a long, tedious commute causes stress, which can exacerbate heart disease and our mental state and increases our risk of experiencing a traffic incident. In neighborhoods without a grocery store nearby, residents do not have access to nutritious foods, and people lacking access to preventive health services put themselves at risk by missing critical screening exams because of poor access to medical care services. Living near a superhighway, port, or a bus or train depot exposes people to increased levels of toxic air pollutants, and many of these same vehicle emissions contribute to global warming.”
National Advocacy Campaign
Right now, an advocacy campaign called Transportation for America (T4America) is underway to reform transportation policy via the reauthorization of the federal surface transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU) and the upcoming economic stimulus bill. SAFETEA-LU currently includes some components that highlight the importance of safety and injury prevention, but a broader emphasis on health outcomes from transportation-related activities and increased support for health priorities in the bill is needed. Meanwhile, states have been asked to develop lists of “shovel-ready” transportation projects that could be set into motion if funds were available from a stimulus bill. T4America has developed a platform for advocacy and hopes to encourage more health and public health organizations to join the campaign. APHA is a leader in T4America and is working to reach out and engage the public health community.
Towards Healthier Transportation Policy
APHA is advocating a variety of means to improve the health of U.S. residents and help to prevent disease through reformed transportation policy. These include:
- Offering balanced and affordable modes of transportation (including driving, biking, walking, and public transit) and, where possible, helping to decrease reliance on automobiles;
- Building communities and improving connectivity so that residents can safely walk or bike to work, school, home, play, public transit, and services;
- Ensuring public transit can be reached safely without needing to drive;
- Increasing opportunities for residents in sprawling communities to be physically active;
- Improving injury prevention and installing safety and protective measures where needed;
- Sustaining and improving motor vehicle safety;
- Increasing U.S. energy independence and investing in identification of alternative fuels sources;
- Educating U.S. residents about the health benefits of walking, biking, and safe transportation behaviors; and
- Assessing the potential health impact of all major transportation, land-use decision, and planning activities.
Health advocates now have a unique opportunity to look forward and come together to create a collective voice and common set of priorities to advocate for transportation policies that enhance health. As Dr. Benjamin says, “We need a comprehensive commitment to build transportation networks that serve our need to get from one place to another in a way that enhances our health while optimizing the trade-offs from our transportation and development needs.”
- Brian Raymond, MPH, Senior Policy Consultant, KP IHP
|
|
About
