HIA in the News: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Releases Brief on Transportation Policy
April 29, 2010
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
"The U.S. transportation system has been shaped by multiple policy inputs and concrete actions which have arisen from transportation and community planners, funding agencies and others at Federal, state and local levels. Today, the system is designed to move people and goods efficiently; however, there is a growing awareness across communities that transportation systems impact quality of life and health. Government and non-government agencies are seeking innovative policies and programs that protect and promote health while accomplishing the primary transportation objectives.
Expanding the availability of, safety for, and access to a variety of transportation options and integrating health-enhancing choices into transportation policy has the potential to save lives by preventing chronic diseases, reducing and preventing motor-vehicle-related injury and deaths, improving environmental health, while stimulating economic development, and ensuring access for all people.
With this goal in mind, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified transportation policies that can have profound positive impact on health. CDC supports strategies that can provide a balanced portfolio of transportation choices that supports health and reduces health care costs..."
As part of the recommendations to "design to minimize adverse health and safety consequences," the CDC supports efforts to "ecourage states and communities to consider health impacts as part of transportation planning. Health impact assessments (HIAs) and safety audits may be a useful tool to identify the impact of a new policy, program or major transportation project on community and individual health..."
