How Transportation Policy Impacts Public Health

In an interview with Smart Cities Dive’s Dan Zukowski, John Auerbach, former director of intergovernmental and strategic affairs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explains the link between transportation planning, public health, and equity.

According to Auerbach, “There’s a solid amount of evidence that shows that transportation has a significant impact on the health and well-being of the public. The social determinants of health really make a difference in what kind of housing people have and includes whether there are job opportunities, education opportunities.”

The placement of transportation infrastructure also impacts air quality. “As we look at the incidences of heart disease, asthma and other diseases, we know that the closer you are to a highway or an area where there’s a good deal of traffic, the more that you’re susceptible to a variety of different significant health issues,” Auerbach explains.

Looking to solutions, Auerbach says “An important way to change the equation is to build linkages between agencies that focus on health and transportation-related agencies at the federal, state and local levels.” Because transportation decisions impact public health, officials in both fields must work together. “Take the dollars that are available from a variety of sources to do planning that’s thoughtful for the entire region.”