Does $1.3 billion in transit funding affect health? A health impact assessment of state transit funding cuts in California

Last year $1.3 billion in state transportation funds for transit programs in California were reallocated for other programs. Cuts to state transit funding may be even larger this year. This health impact assessment (HIA) examines how last year's transit funding cuts may impact the public's health. We identified the following pathways as potentially significant mechanisms for effects on health: air, water and noise pollution; economics, land-use, physical activity, discretionary time and social capital. The evidence base pertaining to each of these pathways was examined and specific recommendations are made to minimize potential harm and maximize potential.

While the proposed funding cuts will not lead to a wholesale shutdown of transit service, there are vulnerable agencies and populations that are likely to be significantly impacted: (1) smaller transit agencies for whom state funds make up a critical portion of revenue and which have limited ability to raise replacement revenue from other sources (e.g. fare increases), and (2) transit-dependent populations served by those transit providers, including the poor, children, seniors and mobility impaired who depend on transit for access to jobs, school, shopping, health care and social services.

While our analysis does not measure the relative health effects of money spent on transportation compared to an equivalent amount spent on health care or public health, we argue that long-term health benefits come from a wide array of public investments, including transportation. To get the most out of these public investments, policy-makers need to consider effects across sectoral boundaries.