TDM and Health Melinda Norris Project Manager - Walkabout October

Physical activity provides proven health benefits, protecting against heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and depression. The report indicates that in HRM 30% of heart disease and 16% of stroke, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes are attributable to physical inactivity. The report notes that planning offers excellent opportunities to increase chances for physical activity of residents by making walking or cycling viable alternatives to motorized transportation HSFNS Report

Cost of Physical Inactivity Direct and indirect costs of physical inactivity in Nova Scotia 200 HRM residents die prematurely each year due to physical inactivity Source: GPI Atlantic, The Cost of Physical Inactivity in Nova Scotia, May 2002 Source: GPI Atlantic, The Cost of Physical Inactivity in HRM, August Nova Scotians die prematurely each year due to physical inactivity Direct and indirect costs of physical inactivity in HRM $354 million annually $68 million annually

Emerging evidence suggests there is a relationship between the built environment, physical activity, rising rates of overweight and obesity and heart disease and stroke. To reduce the risks of heart disease and stroke, urban and transportation planning should consider the extent to which a community encourages walking, biking and active transportation and has sufficient density to provide public transit service Emerging Research

A number of studies have shown that people who live in moderate to high density areas and in more walkable neighbourhoods make more trips on foot or by bicycle, spend less time driving, are more likely to meet recommended levels of physical activity. People living in more walkable neighbourhoods are less likely to be overweight or obese than those living in low density areas with a lack of shops, services and amenities close by. Emerging Research

“The evidence is conclusive: our car-dependent habits are killing us. We have to start focusing on healthy lifestyle habits to replace our ‘drive-through’ mentality.” ~ Dr. Anthony Graham, HSFC spokesperson, commenting on a 2005 HSFC report showing car-dependent Canadians get far less physical activity and are at increased risk of being overweight or obese. HSFC Report

“Retail services outside of urban areas are designed with automobile access as a priority. Sidewalks and cycle lanes are conspicuous by their absence, making suburban and rural-dwelling Canadians prisoners to their cars.” ~ Dr. Robert Ross, HSFC researcher, commenting on a 2005 HSFC report showing car-dependent Canadians get far less physical activity and are at increased risk of being overweight or obese. HSFC Report

The built environment can encourage active transportation like walking, biking or taking public transit or it can encourage the use of automobiles to get around. Many suburban developments have increased reliance on the automobile, which has continued over the past 60 years and has fuelled urban sprawl. Urban sprawl uses large quantities of land, separates housing from stores, schools and workplaces, and encourages dependency on automobiles. Transportation and Health

The ways and means by which where you live is designed and constructed and the policies that support the overall vision. Making transportation such as public transit, walking trails, and active transportation options available in all communities helps promote opportunities for activity and better health. Develop and implement sustainable transportation plans and increase funding for municipal infrastructure and public transportation. Transportation and Health

Using urban planning and transportation planning can increase avenues for physical activity and community interaction. This gives us opportunities on how we move and to create options for that movement. Neighbourhoods that have availability of continuous sidewalks, a variety of shops, services, parks, schools and workplaces within walking distance of homes are often called “walkable” neighbourhoods. How?

Land Use: The distribution of activities across space, including the location and density of housing, workplaces, schools, green space, commercial and industrial uses. Transportation Systems: The physical infrastructure for roads, bridges, sidewalks, bike paths, railroad tracks and public transportation (buses, subways, light rail). Built Environment

Community Design: The design of communities and their physical elements (such as streets, parks, or sidewalks), including both their arrangement and appearance. Human Activity Patterns: Physical activity like walking or biking within the physical environment or use of cars, trucks and public transportation. Built Environment

Car Focus

Pedestrian Inclusion

Car Focus

Pedestrian Inclusion

Car Focus

But with changes...

a few more changes...

and just a few more changes...

Pedestrian Inclusion

What are the HSFC and HSFNS Doing? The HSFC is funding research on the social and environmental aspects of obesity, including studies of how community design influences physical activity and health. The HSFNS is launching Heart&Stroke Walkabout™, an initiative intended to address the prevalence of inactivity in Nova Scotia by creating a culture of walking in Nova Scotia. One of the ways it will do that is through an advocacy toolkit.

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