Blog #11: Transportation and Public Health

Public transportation planning can affect public health in many ways. Planning roadways that are bike friendly and pedestrian friendly can encourage members of the community to walk and bike to work, school, and shopping. Obesity is a continually growing problem in the U.S., and encouraging physical activity that fits into everyday activities is a great way to help combat this issue. Regular physical activity also helps fight other diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. More people using public transportation means fewer cars on the roads, reducing our carbon footprint, and in turn reducing our exposure to harmful pollution. Public transportation availability in low income neighborhoods allows individuals of lower socioeconomic status to access healthier food options. It is a well-known issue that lower income areas tend to have less healthy options when it comes to diet. Those that drive cars regularly are significantly more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident and put their lives at risk every time they get behind the wheel.

Living in Oakland, I am fortunate to have many options when it comes to public transportation. I recently have been trying to use these alternate options more recently, not only because riding a train is much less stressful than sitting in traffic, but because every time I drive my car, I am contributing to the harmful pollution in the environment. In Oakland, we have BART and AC Transit. Oakland is also known for being a very bike-friendly city, although many poorer neighborhoods still do not have this as a safe option. I personally have started using MUNI in San Francisco for transportation to school and other events around the city. I found the below article in the SF Chronicle from January 2019 regarding public transportation discounts for low-income individuals in the Bay Area. Unfortunately, the discount is only 20 percent, not enough for many people that rely on public transportation. One important point that is made in the article is that people who live farther from their places of employment are usually those that are of lower income status, however they must pay more to travel the longer distance. Yet another disparity separating higher and lower income earners. The article also mentions that public transit in the Bay Area currently offers discounts to high-volume users, senior citizens and youth. I do know that students at certain universities can receive discounts as well.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Bay-Area-s-low-income-transit-riders-after-13512235.php

Alameda County has the Alameda County Planning for Healthy Communities Network. Their function is to ensure planning and design of the infrastructure and environment contribute to the health of the community and address health inequities in relation to the surrounding environment.

Their website: http://www.acphd.org/social-and-health-equity/policy-change/planning-for-healthy-communities.aspx

As a nursing professional, it is important to consider the areas in which my patients live and how the infrastructure and environment affect their health. I must stay up to date on ongoing changes in my community to be able to help my patients find ways to increase physical activity and reduce risk of injury while out in the community. I think that Oakland and the entire Bay Area still have a ways to go when it comes to green urban planning. It is difficult due to the volume of people in the area, but we must do more to encourage people to use public transportation and their own two legs when they can. Rural areas are certainly a challenge when it comes to urban planning as things are more spread out, and there are fewer people to use public transportation and keep it cost-worthy. I think sidewalks and bike lanes are a great start for rural areas. In the town where my parents live in rural Virginia, there are no bike paths/lanes to be found, and just making biking safe could make a significant difference.

Population health nurses would be important assets to the health impact assessment process. They would be able to provide helpful input from their professional practice and extensive knowledge about health. Public health nurses understand the impacts of lack of access to resources and the health disparities this creates. Having the input of a nurse on these committees is crucial to reducing the health disparities between higher and lower income earners.