Children's Health And Transportation

While we typically think of transportation impacts in terms of air pollution alerts, increasing incidences of childhood asthma, the growing numbers of children and adults considered overweight and obese—just to name a few—transportation's impact on mental health is often overlooked.This article examines the nexus between children’s health and transportation, and the significance of social connections to our health. The author presents research and anecdotal evidence from around the world about transportation’s connection to mental health—especially children’s mental health. Here is a sample: "Slowing down and experiencing the moment is emphasized in stress management training as well as meditation techniques for spiritual development. Pleasant walking and cycling paths that lead to destinations that adults and children regularly travel would allow us to use these modes for transportation. And surely 'Road Rage' is the antithesis of the compassionate society that we would wish for ourselves and our children?' " [Editor's note: The link below is to a 150KB PDF document.]

Thanks to Congress on New Urbanism