transportation | The Pump Handle

Agriculture Study finds farmers markets can increase healthy food access among the most disadvantaged

February 19, 2016 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

In the last few years, the residents of Flint, Michigan, and its surrounding suburbs lost five grocery stores. Today, within the city limits, there’s just one large chain grocery store, about 10 small and often-pricier groceries, and 150 liquor stores, convenience stores and gas stations. People who have a car often travel out to the suburbs for more variety and better prices. Much of Flint is a food desert — a place where accessing healthy, affordable food is a very real challenge.

Environmental Health London’s congestion charge and Seattle’s affordable transit

December 29, 2015 The Pump Handle 2Comment

Re-run from March 16, 2015: Researchers analyze crash data following London’s 2003 implementation of a congestion-charge zone, while Seattle reduces transit fares for low-income riders.

Education Study uncovers occupational risks, injury trends among commercial bicyclists

October 5, 2015 Kim Krisberg

Anyone who’s lived in a big, dense city is familiar with the sight of bicycle messengers weaving their way in between metro buses and taxi cabs, down side streets and around packed crosswalks, pedaling at impressive speeds and often with remarkable agility. Surprisingly, however, there’s little data on these workers, even though it seems they’d be particularly susceptible to injuries on the job.

Environmental Health Study: Reduced emissions from electric cars could prevent thousands of deaths

December 17, 2014 Kim Krisberg 4Comment

When compared with gasoline-powered cars, vehicles fueled with electricity from renewable sources could cut air pollution-related deaths by 70 percent, according to a new study, which noted that air pollution is the country’s greatest environmental health threat.

Public Health Practice Worth reading: Ending drunk driving and fighting poverty

June 17, 2014 Liz Borkowski, MPH

Recent pieces include suggestions for ending drunk driving and reducing poverty; the limits of education as a path to greater equality for African-Americans; and “the corporate crusade against low-wage workers.”

Education Pedestrians, bicyclists at disproportionate risk of being killed by a distracted driver

November 4, 2013 Kim Krisberg 2Comment

It takes time to change social norms, so it’ll probably take many, many years until it’s as socially unacceptable to text or use a cell phone while driving as it is to start the engine without first buckling a seat belt. In the meantime, researchers say, smart policies are needed to address the increasing share of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths attributed to distracted driving.

Education CDC: Older workers continue to bear brunt of occupational highway fatalities

August 30, 2013 Kim Krisberg

For older workers, the most dangerous occupational move may be getting behind the wheel.

Environmental Health Designing better health: New EPA report links development and human health

June 21, 2013 The Pump Handle

When most of us pass by a new high-rise or drive down a new road, we rarely think: Did the builders and planners consider my health? However, a new report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers evidence that certain types of land use and transportation decisions can indeed limit the human health and environmental impacts of development.

Environmental Health All aboard! Amtrak is the fastest-growing mode of US travel

March 4, 2013 Liz Borkowski, MPH 1Comment

A new Brookings report finds that intercity rail ridership is growing faster than other travel modes, but Amtrak is essentially two distinct systems — one thriving, the other not.

Environmental Health Technology, behavior, and reduced driving associated with decline in auto fatalities

September 19, 2012 Liz Borkowski, MPH 4Comment

There are two ways to reduce fatalities from vehicle crashes: prevent crashes, and make the ones that happen less deadly.