Active transportation such as walking and biking can help improve public health by reducing risks for chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Transit-oriented development (TOD) encourages active transportation by locating housing near transit to reduce driving. A study found that 29% of public transit users met physical activity guidelines through walking to and from transit. Health impact assessments can measure potential health effects of projects and policies and provide recommendations to decision makers to promote health and mitigate any negative health impacts.

1. Active Transportation, Health, and TOD Jeffery Rosenhall, MA California Active Communities/ CA Dept. of Public Health/UCSF September 27, 2010

3. Use of transit Increases PA Data from the 2001 National Household Travel Survey (N=3,312) show that 29% of public transit users achieve the Surgeon General’s recommendation of 30 minutes or more of physical activity a day while walking to and from transit. Racial/ethnic minorities reported even greater percentages of achieving the recommended level of activity. Source: Besser L, Dannenberg A. Walking to public transit: Steps to help meet physical activity recommendations. American Journal Preventive Medicine 2005; 29(4): 273-280.

5. HIA Purpose: - Steps: Screening, scoping, assessment, reporting, monitoring. -Judge the health effects of the proposed project/plan/policy -Call out the health impacts -Provide recommendations to decision-makers -Shape public decisions and discourse How can HIA promote health? Source: Human Impact Partners (HIP), Oakland, CA

6. HIA of Bay Area TOD Project Pittsburg BART Extension example, SF Bay Area -Setting and context Pros/cons of the TOD project: (+) Affordable housing near transit (-) Potential AQ impacts to TOS residents Mitigations needed: -Window treatments -Improved HVAC systems installed Outcomes: -HIA results shared with community partners/residents and info may impact the development of the Specific Plan. Source: Human Impact Partners. 2008. Pittsburg Railroad Avenue Specific Plan Health Impact Assessment. Oakland, CA.

8. Stay Connected Jeffery Rosenhall, MA Active Communities Specialist, California Department of Public Health/ University of California, San Francisco p: 916.552.9885 e: [email_address] w: www.CAactivecommunities.org Twitter: @ahealthypublic LCI #2312 There IS hope 