Urban Sprawl: What's Health Got to Do With It?
Program Notes
Health Risks Resulting
from Urban Sprawl
Transportation
- Car crash injuries and
fatalities
- Pedestrian injuries and
fatalities
- Air Pollution
Land Use
- Reduced physical activity
- Water contamination
Social Effects of Sprawl
- Decline in mental health
- Loss of social capital
Social capital refers to the connectedness and trust that binds a community
together.
Local Public Health Strategies
- Get involved with zoning
decisions
- Promote mixed land-use;
- Help plan location of
new schools
- Push for development
of bike paths and sidewalks
- Support car pool initiatives
- Support mass transit
initiatives