226817 Health impacts of an Oregon state policy to increase transportation options

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 : 1:00 PM - 1:15 PM

Mel Stephen Rader, MS, MS , Upstream Public Health, Portland, OR
The presentation will describe a community-based participatory research project to examine the health impacts of policies to reduce driving, and an advocacy campaign to better integrate health considerations into state transportation policy.

An overview will be provided on the major health impacts of policies to reduce driving, and promote alternative transportation options in Oregon cities. Local policies discussed will include land use planning strategies, investments in public transit, and tax/tolling strategies. An overview will be provided on the health impacts of these policies due to changes in air pollution, collision rates, and physical activity. Particular attention will be focused on how policies impact low-income communities, those with limited mobility, and limited access to motor vehicles.

Next, the advocacy strategy and policy outcomes will be described for a statewide campaign to increase health considerations in transportation policy. The strategy to disseminate the findings to policy-makers will be described, as well as the key messages that were persuasive for transportation and land-use planners to better consider health.

Finally, the presentation will summarize the strategy to mobilize community leaders and activists to become more engaged in policy advocacy to promote healthier and more equitable transportation policies. Key concerns and priorities of community members will be summarized, as well as the key methods and messages there were effective in engaging community leaders about transportation health equity.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Environmental health sciences
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
- Define the major health impacts of policies that promote alternatives to driving - Describe how health impact analysis can be used to advocate for healthier policies

Keywords: Advocacy, Climate Change

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I coordinated the research project and used the results for advocacy.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.