Improving Children’s Health Through Transportation Initiative
Transportation policy and programming offer critical opportunities to promote the health and safety of children. Historically, transportation policy has focused disproportionately on the needs of adults in automobiles to reach the workplace. Yet as 25% of the nation’s population, children represent a crucial segment of transportation users, and their unique needs should be considered and addressed directly.
The Improving Children’s Health Through Transportation Initiative matrix describes opportunities for pediatricians and other child health care providers to raise the profile of transportation as a public health issue that must be addressed to help children live to their full potential. Ideas for involvement are provided in four topical areas:
- Injury prevention: Transportation-related issues are the leading cause of death and acquired disability in children and adolescents. The 3 Es of injury prevention—Education, Engineering, and Enforcement—can help keep children safe on the road.
- Air quality: Children are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution than adults, and motor vehicles represent the principal source of air pollution in many communities. Important threats to children’s health, such as asthma, can be lessened by reducing vehicle emissions and increasing use of non-motorized transportation, mass transit, and carpooling.
- Physical activity: With 30% of U.S. children overweight or obese, increasing physical activity is a major public health issue. Policy, planning, and programs can encourage use of non-motorized forms of transportation and have significant health benefits.
- Built environment: The shape and character of the built environment have a large and significant effect on children’s health. Negative effects can be mitigated or avoided through better planning and policy making.
Use your mouse to click on the cells of the matrix
to learn more about various opportunities for involvement.
| Health Professionals | Communities | States | |
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| Injury Prevention |
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| Air Quality |
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| Physical Activity |
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| Built Environment |
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