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[H+T--Friends] Out of the office at a training

by Megan Wier

I will be out of the office starting 07/26/2011 and will not return until 07/29/2011. I will be checking email in the evenings and responding to messages as soon as possible. Thank you!

12 years, 9 months

[H+T--Friends] New resources on trbhealth.org

by Eloisa Raynault

Hi everyone, Several new resources and links to reports have been posted on our website. A section on recent research was added, as were resources shared by many of you in recent weeks. Visit http://www.trbhealth.org and click on Resource Links in the left hand column. If you have other resources to share with the group, let us know! Best regards, Eloisa Raynault, Subcommittee Co-Chair eloisa.raynault(a)apha.org

12 years, 9 months

[H+T--Friends] Transportation and Health Connection Report

by Ed Christopher

I am posting this on behalf of Phylis Orrick. We have been having some trouble with posts to the list that have graphics attached. The posts are not coming through for those receiving the listserve digest nor are they being placed in the archive. I apologize to those who have seen this before. --------------- Now online: Transportation and Health Connection Report SafeTREC, in partnership with Partnership for Prevention, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a new report, Transportation and Health: Policy Interventions for Safer, Healthier People and Communities http://www.prevent.org/Additional-Pages/Transportation-and-Health.aspx It examines transportation policies in three critical areas: the environment and environmental health, community design and active transportation, and motor vehicle-related injuries and fatalities. Policymakers at all levels can use this report to inform decision-making regarding transportation. Go here for more: http://www.prevent.org/Additional-Pages/Transportation-and-Health.aspx --------------- Ed Christopher 708-283-3534 (V) 708-574-8131 (cell) FHWA RC-TST-PLN 4749 Lincoln Mall Drive, Suite 600 Matteson, IL 60443

12 years, 9 months

[H+T--Friends] older driver and older mobility

by Phyllis Orrick

Regarding Topics 1 and 2, Irene, some of this is almost 10 years old, but it still has relevance http://www.safetrec.berkeley.edu/research/olderdrivers.html And this page on barriers to transit for older adults. We've got a current project on this as well. http://www.tsc.berkeley.edu/research/transit.html Feel free to contact me if you want more information. Regards, Phyllis -- Phyllis Orrick Communications Director Safe Transportation Research and Education Center<http://www.safetrec.berkeley.edu>(SafeTREC) University of California Transportation Center <http://www.uctc.net> (UCTC) Institute for Urban and Regional Development <http://www.iurd.berkeley.edu>(IURD) 2614 Dwight Way UC Berkeley Berkeley CA 94720-7374 510-643-1779 @transsafe <https://twitter.com/#!/transsafe> @californiaUTC <https://twitter.com/#!/CaliforniaUTC> @IURDBerkeley <https://twitter.com/#!/IURDBerkeley>

12 years, 9 months

[H+T--Friends] references to document city/transportation planners awareness of US aging trends?

by Yen, Irene

Hi everyone - I'm sorry I missed the inaugural meeting on July 11. I've just read through the minutes. It sounds like you had a great first meeting and have a great group of people to work on the variety of issues at hand. I was wondering if any of you could help me with a reference or two. I am writing a policy brief for the J of the American Geriatrics Society describing built environment and mobility for older adults policy issues. I wrote that city and transportation planners are aware of the aging of the US population. My co-author suggested that this may not be the case. I did some web searching and found one report commission for the Texas state department of transportation. I found a document for the American Society of Planning Officials from 1961! It might be that it's planners in certain cities. But it seems appropriate to acknowledge their awareness. For a journal, though, I have to use report or article references. thanks in advance! Irene Yen Irene H. Yen, Ph.D., M.P.H. Associate Professor Division of General Internal Medicine Department of Medicine University of California, San Francisco Associate Director, Experiential Learning, Health & Society Pathway 3333 California Street, Suite 335 Box 0856 San Francisco, CA 94143-0856 [for FedEx - use 94118] (415) 502 7046 (o) (415) 502 8291 (fax) http://dgim.ucsf.edu/about/yen.html ****************************************************************** EMAIL ADDRESS: irene.yen(a)ucsf.edu ******************************************************************

12 years, 9 months

[H+T--Friends] Listserve etc of National Consortium on the Coordination of Human Services Transportation

by Sheryl Gross-Glaser

Hi, Eloisa suggested that I invite the subcommittee members to join the listserve of the National Consortium on the Coordination of Human Services Transportation<http://web1.ctaa.org/webmodules/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=70&z=78>. We deal with community transportation, including access to medical care, and transit. Our members include a broad range of organizations from the worlds of planning, health, transit, aging and people with disabilities. The listserve <http://groups.google.com/group/coordination-consortium?hl=en>is used to announce Consortium colloquia and to notify members that there is a new blog post for the group. The messages are few. The blog is the Express Stop <http://express-stop.blogspot.com/>. Topics covered in the colloquia and the blog are transit, reauthorization, livability, modes other than SOV, funding, emergency preparedness, non-emergency medical transportation, and once in a while legislative positions of national organizations etc. Have a great weekend, Sheryl -- Sheryl Gross-Glaser Director, Partnership for Mobility Management Coordination Specialist, National Resource Center for Human Service Transportation Coordination Community Transportation Association of America grossglaser(a)ctaa.org 202.386.1669 <http://www.NRCtransportation.org>*** *** *** The Express Stop: <http://www.NRCtransportation.org> http://express-stop.blogspot.com/ NRC Technical Assistance News: http://nrctanews.blogspot.com/ www.NRCtransportation.org partnershipformobilitymanagement.org www.ctaa.org CTAA EXPO 2012: Baltimore's Inner Harbor

12 years, 9 months

[H+T--Friends] Fwd: New Report Highlights Transportation Policies That Improve the Nation’s Health

by Phyllis Orrick

Hello, TRB Subcommittee on Health and Transportation (ADD 50-01) members, You might be interested in the announcement below of a report we just published with Partnership for Prevention, Booze Allen Hamilton, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Best, Phyllis *New Report Highlights Transportation Policies that Improve the Nation’s Health* *New report released today by Partnership for Prevention.* A report titled *Transportation and Health: Policy Interventions for Safer, Healthier People and Communities* was released today by Partnership for Prevention (Partnership). This report highlights existing scientific evidence on the health effects of nearly 40 transportation policies that can further multiple health and transportation goals. Partnership collaborated with the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC) at the University of California, Berkeley; Booz Allen Hamilton; and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report examines the effects of transportation policies on health in three key areas – environment and environmental public health, community design and active transportation, and motor vehicle-related injuries and fatalities. The Report is available on the Partnership for Prevention web site at: * www.prevent.org/tran* <http://www.prevent.org/transportation>sportation The direct link to the PDF file is: * http://www.prevent.org/data/files/transportation/transportationandhealthpol… *<http://www.prevent.org/data/files/transportation/transportationandhealthpol…> July, 2011 * * -- Phyllis Orrick Communications Director Safe Transportation Research and Education Center<http://www.safetrec.berkeley.edu>(SafeTREC) University of California Transportation Center <http://www.uctc.net> (UCTC) Institute for Urban and Regional Development <http://www.iurd.berkeley.edu>(IURD) 2614 Dwight Way UC Berkeley Berkeley CA 94720-7374 510-643-1779 @transsafe <https://twitter.com/#!/transsafe> @californiaUTC <https://twitter.com/#!/CaliforniaUTC> @IURDBerkeley <https://twitter.com/#!/IURDBerkeley>

12 years, 9 months

[H+T--Friends] Minutes posted online: Inaugural meeting of the TRB Subcommittee on Health and Transportation (ADD 50-01): July 11, 2011

by Megan Wier

Hello everyone - Thanks so much again to everyone who was able to participate in last week's inaugural meeting of the TRB Subcommittee on Health and Transportation (ADD 50-01)! Minutes from the meeting are now posted on our website at: http://www.trbhealth.org/home/meeting-agendas-and-minutes Please let me know if you have any questions, and we look forward to being in touch! Best, Megan ------------------------------------------------------------- Megan L. Wier, MPH, Epidemiologist Program on Health, Equity and Sustainability San Francisco Department of Public Health phone: 415-252-3972, fax: 415-252-3964 Megan.Wier(a)sfdph.org www.sfphes.org

12 years, 9 months

[H+T--Friends] Biking on Busy Streets Linked to Heart Risks

by Michael Schwartz

Hi All, Great meeting last week! It was nice to hear about all the exciting work in this area going on around the country. A couple hours after our meeting ended, a colleague sent me this article discussing the health risks of people cycling on busy streets -- a topic brought up by someone during the meeting. -Michael http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/exhaust-ing-ride-for-cyclis… Exhaust-ing ride for cyclists: Air pollutants trigger heart riskIn big cities around the world, cyclists breathe an array of pollutants from exhaust-spewing cars. A new study has now found a link between cycling on high traffic roads and heart risks. Even healthy cyclists had harmful changes in their heart rates. Experts say cyclists should stick to their two-wheels, however, pointing to simple solutions to reduce exposure. By Brett Israel Environmental Health News July 6, 2011 NEW YORK – Even by this city's standards, the Garment District is an imposing place to ride a bike. A never-ending parade of delivery trucks rumbles along 8th Avenue between 34th and 42nd streets, leaving a wake of gritty exhaust for cyclists to feel, smell and breathe. After riding in the Garment District, Robert "Rocket" Ruiz, a 13-year veteran of the bike messenger business, would often look into the bathroom mirror and see his face covered in grime. "I remember having to wash my face three or four times a day," said Ruiz, now the head dispatcher for Quik Trak Messenger Service. "There's nothing but tar and smoke on your face." Ruiz, a star on the Travel Channel's bike messenger show "Triple Rush," said he once had to miss a day of work to see a doctor because of exhaust burning his eyes. Pedaling behind pollutant-spewing cars and trucks may not seem as scary as being hit by one, but scientists say it can pose invisible dangers. Now, for the first time, cycling in heavy traffic has been linked to a heart health risk, Canadian researchers reported last month. A new study found cyclists in Ottawa, Ontario, had heart irregularities in the hours after their exposure to a variety of air pollutants on busy roads. Pedaling behind pollutant-spewing cars and trucks may not seem as scary as being hit by one, but scientists say it can pose invisible dangers."Our findings suggest that short-term exposure to traffic may have a significant impact on cardiac autonomic function in healthy adults," the scientists from Health Canada, Environment Canada and the University of Ottawa wrote in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. The study does not suggest that bikers would be better off driving, experts say. Rather, the findings intensify the scrutiny on cyclists' pollution exposure, and point to simple solutions for a cleaner ride, such as avoiding busy roads like 8th Avenue whenever possible. "It's something that actually concerns a lot of people that do cycle," said Michael Brauer, a cyclist and atmospheric scientist at the University of British Columbia who was not involved in the new study. "People want to understand their risk. They're just thinking all the time, 'Is this good for me? Is this bad for me? I'm doing my part, but there's this car that's throwing this exhaust in my face.' " For the study, 42 healthy, non-smoking cyclists wore heart monitors before, during and after cycling for one hour on high- and low-traffic roads between May and September last year. Instruments on the bikes' panniers measured exposure to air pollution. "A very healthy person is like a Ferrari," said Arden Pope, an expert in the health effects of air pollution and professor at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. "Step on the gas and it really goes fast. Step on the brakes and it really slows down. The human heart, you want it to be like that too."Short-term exposure to heavy traffic significantly decreased heart rate variability in the cyclists for up to three hours after they finished cycling. Experts say reduced heart rate variability is associated with a higher risk of heart attacks. But with lower heart rate variability, the heart is behaving more like a minivan than a Ferrari, Pope said, meaning that it is less able to respond to stress. Researchers are not sure how air pollution alters heart rate variability, Pope said. One idea is that particles in the lungs cause inflammation, which throws off the body's ability to carry out its automatic functions. No respiratory effects were found in the cyclists. The researchers did not find any significant changes in their lung function, probably because all the cyclists were healthy, and most had no asthma or other respiratory problems. Around the world, researchers have found that whenever fine particles increase in the air, deaths and hospitalizations from asthma, heart attacks and other cardiopulmonary problems increase, too. Hours to weeks of exposure to particles that are smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, which peak during rush hours, can trigger cardiovascular effects, according to the American Heart Association. Researchers are not sure how air pollution alters heart rate variability. One idea is that particles in the lungs cause inflammation, which throws off the body's ability to carry out its automatic functions.For the Canadian cyclists, when their exposure to certain pollutants, including ultrafine particles, nitrogen dioxide or ozone, increased, their heart rate variability decreased, according to the study. Sheer proximity to tailpipes is one reason why cyclists have a high exposure to the tiny particle pollutants, which are emitted by vehicles along with thousands of other chemicals. Diesel buses and trucks are among the worst offenders. "The closer you are to the source of the fresh exhaust, the worse it is," said Patrick Ryan, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Cincinnati, who studies the health effects of traffic-related pollution. Near the tailpipe, these particles are small enough to lodge deep in the lungs, triggering heart attacks and hospitalizations from lung diseases such as asthma. Tiny particles can also cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially harming the nervous system. Farther away from the tailpipe, these particles clump together, growing too large to lodge deeply, Ryan said. That's why even a small separation from cars, created by physical barriers to traffic – something that's missing for most of 8th Avenue – is important for cyclists. Two white stripes of paint, with a few feet of cycling space between them, is all that is reserved for bikers on this crowded street. Trucks commonly idle on the bike lane. Heavy traffic creates a wind tunnel that traps pollution on the road, according to a study by the California Air Resources Board. A 2010 study of cyclists in the Netherlands showed that hard-pedaling, deep-breathing cyclists on busy roads inhale more of this dirty air. In many cases, they also spend more time exposed to it compared to someone driving the same distance. "Those things add up and they give cyclists that cycle in traffic a high exposure," Brauer said. The new study of Canadian cyclists does not mean that people should lock up their bikes and hop back into the driver's seat, said Brauer. Another study has shown that drivers have higher respiratory problems than cyclists because of their higher exposure to volatile organic chemicals in vehicle exhaust.But whether that exposure ups a cyclist's risk for heart or breathing problems has been less well established. One small study of Netherlands cyclists found a weak link between exposure to ultrafine particles and soot and airway inflammation. "In stop-and-go traffic, [drivers] have more exposure than a cyclist who stays 15 feet or more from the tailpipes," said Rebecca Serna, executive director of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, a cycling advocacy group. The health benefits of cycling far outweigh the risks from air pollution and traffic collisions relative to car driving, according to one estimate by researchers in the Netherlands, where cycling is king. Taking cars off the road also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traffic accidents. "In general, you're better off cycling than not," Brauer said. "The physical activity benefits outweigh negative impacts. But you'd like there to be no impacts." Exposure to dirty air adds to the perception problem that cycling is unsafe, said C.H. Christine Bae, an urban planner at the University of Washington in Seattle, who specializes in how bike facilities affect air pollution exposure. The Canadian study authors have a simple solution. Avoid busy streets. "In general, you're better off cycling than not. The physical activity benefits outweigh negative impacts. But you'd like there to be no impacts." *– Michael Brauer, cyclist and atmospheric scientist, University of British Columbia*"When possible it may be prudent to select cycling routes that reduce exposure to traffic and/or to avoid cycling outdoors or exercise indoors on days with elevated air pollution levels," the research team wrote. Others agree. "Our recommendations to cyclists would be to avoid busy as streets as much as possible," said Dimitri Stanich, a spokesman for California's Air Resources Board. Of course, cyclists might want to avoid busy streets for a number of reasons – fewer distracted drivers being one. But the busiest streets also have the dirtiest air, with ultrafine particle and soot exposure highest on busy roads, according to a recent study. Bike routes should aim to minimize time spent on these high-traffic roads, the Canadian researchers wrote. This would reduce exposures of riders who may be more susceptible to the immediate health risks of traffic-related air pollution, such as the elderly, children, and pregnant mothers. A study of bike lanes in Portland, Ore., showed that lanes separated by planters, not just by white paint, actually decreased cyclists' air pollution exposure. A Belgian study of traffic pollution found that cycling as little as several feet off the road gave measurable differences in exposure. Getting cyclists out from behind the cars helps, too. In Portland, when traffic stops at a red light, cyclists have a designated area at the front of the line of cars, called a bicycle box, which helps them navigate turns and flee the tailpipe fumes. If a little is good, more is better. Brauer says the preliminary results of his lab's work suggest that bike lanes are best when built one block from a major traffic artery. Despite the emerging research, Bae said that she does not know of any cities that consider cyclists' pollution exposure when designing bike lanes."Little things like that can help a lot to reduce exposure to cyclists," Bae said. Including Vancouver, where Brauer cycles, many of the cities that built bike lanes one block away from a major road thought about cost, not pollution. "Most were done by accident, because they were cheaper," Brauer said. "But they actually give you an air pollution benefit." -- *Michael Schwartz* **Transportation Planner San Francisco County Transportation Authority 415-522-4823 michael.schwartz(a)sfcta.org

12 years, 9 months

[H+T--Friends] Another TRB health-related call for papers

by Eloisa Raynault

Hi everyone, In addition to our Subcommittee call for papers (posted online at http://pressamp.trb.org/CallForPapers/CFPDetail.asp?cid=1348), there is another TRB call for papers on the latest research or studies on the seriousness and impacts of sleep loss, fatigue, or operator lack of attention on transportation safety. Please visit this website to learn more: http://pressamp.trb.org/CallForPapers/CFPDetail.asp?cid=1413 Also, thank you to everyone who participated in our inaugural meeting yesterday. We will be sure to share the minutes and any other materials with you in the coming days. And please be sure to visit our website: http://www.trbhealth.org Best regards, Eloisa Raynault, Subcommittee Co-Chair eloisa.raynault(a)apha.org

12 years, 9 months

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