Transportation

How can public transportation-planning affect illness and injury in a community? 

Balanced transportation choices, including improved and expanded public transportation systems, bring health and equity benefits to communities across the nation. An equitable public transportation system is one that allows its users equal opportunity in mobility, independent of age, ability, income or race. Promoting public transportation use is associated with health, social and environmental benefits. Results indicate that:

·       On average, public transportation produces 95% less carbon monoxide, 92% fewer volatile organic compounds and 45% less carbon dioxide compared to private automobiles.

·       Communities that are walkable and have access to transit generally have a lower dependence on automobiles and encourage physical activity.

·       The fatality rate associated with transportation-related injuries in public transportation is approximately 1/25th that associated with automobiles.

·       Studies have found that men who commute to work on public transportation are 44.6% less likely to be overweight or obese due to increased active commuting.

·       A health impact assessment (HIA) of public transportation estimated that increased spending on public transportation and sustainable modes of transportation can benefit health and reduce social inequalities.

·       A study found that commuting by public transportation instead of by car increased energy expenditures equivalent to the loss of one pound of body fat per six weeks.

Source: https://www.apha.org/~/media/files/pdf/topics/transport/apha_public_transportation_fact_sheet_march2012.ashx

In Gilroy where I currently live, there are several modes of public transportation such as bus and train. In my workplace, we get subsidy if we use public transportation. They even encourage employees to work-at-home as in the case of our Utilization Management (UM) Team and one case manager. That said, I would like to use the train hence we moved from Salinas to Gilroy; unfortunately, the train does not have timely service for my shift.

There are urban planning initiatives in Gilroy and, so far, the environmental concerns are being addressed.

            As a nursing professional, I can better advocate the area by being actively involved in the community by emailing, calling or even setting up meeting with the member of congress. There were also Congressional Town Hallmeetings that one can attend. Nurses are stereotypically seen in clinics or hospitals as healers. They were seldom seen as healthcare providers who help prevent disease and promote healthy living. That said, there were 3.9 million nurses in the US yet only two nurses are currently serving the congress, Congresswomen Johnson ID-TX-30) and Underwood (D-IL-14)

Are there cities near you that could benefit from "green" urban planning? 

Morgan Hill’s population is growing fast. Way faster than the local government can handle the 101 Highway traffic at 5AM in their three exits located in Tennant Ave, East Dunne Ave, and Cochrane Ave! Urban planners should take into consideration the revitalization of their ever-growing population with extensive development and improved infrastructure. For that reason, Morgan Hill can make use of greener building and housing projects because of their growing population.   

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) process can be used as a powerful tool to influence the community design according to the CDC. In one study, the HIA helped select the public health policy that is most likely to maximize health gain, on the basis of best public health science (Dreaves, 2016). The study further states that HIA is a deep-rooted and proven means of connecting the research evidence from public health and the environmental sciences with impartial decision-making processes at all levels, from local to global. 

That being said, in the population-based nursing action, the wider use of  HIA will provide the systematic way of evaluating and linking the research and the best evidence to policy and decision makers.

Source: Dreaves H. A. (2016). How Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) Help Us to Select the Public Health Policies Most Likely to Maximise Health Gain, on the Basis of Best Public Health Science. AIMS public health, 3(2), 235-241. doi:10.3934/publichealth.2016.2.235

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