Integrated Solutions to Transportation-Related Health Problems

Dr. Ranganathan Kumar

Abstract

Transportation policy is often contested in strictly economic or technical terms, but as this chapter demonstrates, transportation has far-reaching consequences for public health. Transportation is more readily overlooked than, say, air and water pollution since it is upstream in the causal chains that effect human health. Changes in transportation policies and practises, however, may have a wide range of downstream consequences on public health since they are an upstream determinant. Yet, since transportation accounts for such a large amount of industrialised nations economic activity, the degree to which transportation policies and habits are tailored to reduce health consequences may make a significant difference in the overall effects on public health. Transportation dangers and healthy solutions must be known by public health experts, and public health professionals must be included in the transportation planning process.