Report Links High Car Crash Fatalities To Sprawl

North America's sprawling cities and suburbs are shaping us —- but not always as we might hope. The third edition of Sightline Institute's Cascadia Scorecard -- a regional gauge of progress -- examines the connections between urban design and leading health risks such as car crashes, obesity, and physical inactivity.

It also identifies ways we can create communities that favor health. British Columbia's urban design is highlighted, as BC has about half the obesity rate of the Northwest states, a one-third lower car-crash fatality rate, and an average lifespan that is two years longer. The report includes rich data sets on car-crash risks and costs for BC, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington; and maps that illustrate walkable street design.