The Public Health Effects of Sprawl: A Compelling Case for Adressing Public Health in Transportation and Land Use Policy

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute, in conjunction with the Senate Smart Growth Task Force, held a Congressional briefing to explore the relationship between public health, transportation and land-use. New studies indicate that improvements in land use and community design could help moderate many of the chronic diseases of the 21st century -- high blood pressure, obesity, and asthma -- by providing transportation options that increase physical activity and reduce air pollution. The panel discussed the need to adequately address health considerations in transportation and land-use decisions, and the specific policy measures that could move us toward healthier land-use patterns and healthier communities. The Senate Smart Growth Task Force founded by Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Jim Jeffords (I-VT) co-sponsored this briefing. In her opening remarks, Kris Sarri, legislative assistant to Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a member of the Task Force, invited Senate offices to join the task force. Established in 1999, the Task Force provides Senators with a forum for education and coordination of efforts concerning sustainable growth patterns. The overall goal of the Task Force is to determine and promote ways the federal government can help states and localities to address their own growth management issues. On the date of the briefing 20 Senators or 1/5th of the Senate were listed as members of the Task Force.