During a session at the September 2008 National Center for Bicycling and Walking conference in Seattle, a King County public health professional explained that public health became a concern in the early 1900s when water and air were linked to epidemics of infectious diseases. Barbara Wright told how planning departments grew out of this concern that cities ensure clean water to citizens to prevent disease. Twentieth century regulations like the Clean Air Act have further linked environmental issues to human health. Industrial land use planning began.
By 2000, the leading cause of death in the United States has been identified as chronic disease. Planning, which grew out of public health roots, had planned out physical activity. City environments were no longer conducive to bikers and walkers. Chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity are costly to everyone and are responsible for a crisis in the heath care arena.
Public Health Refocuses
Public health professionals are now focusing on the built environment and making the connection between it and chronic disease. Currently, obesity is the most studied chronic disease. An individual is obese when his or her body mass index (BMI) is equal to or greater than 30. A 5’4” person who is about 30 pounds overweight would be considered obese. Research has shown that there has been a huge rise in obesity rates and that currently 30 percent of adults are obese.
- East West Transportation Break Through Another Word For
- National Freight Transportation Association
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) traces its roots back to 1889: its mission is to represent the views and interests of over 13,000 companies: from large ...
- Military Traffic Management Command Transportation Engineering Agency
- Vail Transportation Service
- Muni Transportation In San Francisco