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UD4H can help you integrate health, equity, and the environment more fully into your work. Our innovative, evidence-based and objectively-measured data and tools are used to promote human health, social equity, environmental resilience, and sustainable economic development.

Learn more about the services we offer. Contact us if you would like to discuss ways we can help.

Newsletter Overview

Southern Nevada (Las Vegas) Public Health Assessment Model (RTC-PHAM)
Developing New Published Evidence - 2 UD4H journal articles

Project Highlight: Southern Nevada Public Health Assessment Model

UD4H recently created a localized version of its National Public Health Assessment Model (N-PHAM) for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) (metro Las Vegas). N-PHAM's predictive models are generated using place-based built and natural environment data (census block group level) and leverage large population surveys. Using these base datasets, N-PHAM can model the environmental relationships with a wide range of physical activity and health outcomes.
N-PHAM allows decision-makers to explore how different transportation and land development strategies can help improve local characteristics of health and well-being. N-PHAM was developed with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The sections below provide further details about the RTC-PHAM project.

Conceptual workflow of N-PHAM geographic inputs, statistical modeling and outputs

RTC-PHAM was used to estimate health-related impacts and costs attributed to existing regional transportation systems. These measures were projected for future potential alternative scenarios for metro Las Vegas. With the baseline RTC-PHAM model in place, UD4H developed a conceptual future scenario based on RTC's 2020 On Board Mobility Plan.
The types of inputs modified included:

Transit Infrastructure - presence/absence, density of stations,
Transit Service - service frequency,
Destination Access - employment accessible by transit, and
Transit-Oriented Development - mix of land uses, population and employment density, local household income

The health-related impacts on the population (~90,000 people) closest to the transit enhancements were estimated to be positive. The expected changes are reduced health care costs, average body mass index, and the number of people with diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. In addition, more people are estimated to walk, bicycle, and take transit, and fewer to drive.

Body Mass Index > 30 current conditions for the Las Vegas region

Other N-PHAM Applications

Genesee-Finger Lakes (NY) Public Health Assessment Model for Genesee Transportation Council
Health Equity Study using N-PHAM with Envision Tomorrow for the San Joaquin Council of Governments in metropolitan Stockton, CA
Health Assessment of the City of Grand Rapids for Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc.
Community Health Assessment for the Houston I-45 Freeway Expansion Area for Air Alliance Houston

Benjamin Woelk, UD4H's Director of Strategic Initiatives, was elected to the Society of Practitioners of Health Impact Assessment (SOPHIA) Steering Committee

The international SOPHIA Steering Committee voted unanimously to accept Benjamin's nomination to serve on the 2022-2024 committee last month and indicated they look forward to working with him to enhance health equity and further promote excellence in the field of Health Impact Assessment (HIA). The SOPHIA Steering Committee serves to execute the organization's 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, expand partnerships and outreach, and enhance overall viability. Learn more about membership in the SOPHIA global network and more about the organization now celebrating its 10th anniversary by visiting their website.

Recent Publications

Continuing its role as a groundbreaking research enterprise, UD4H has published two recent journal articles.

1. Creation & Application of the San Diego Public Health Assessment Model (SD-PHAM) in the Journal of Transport Policy

Applied to the Palomar Gateway transit-oriented development (TOD) in Chula Vista, CA, as part of UD4H's San Diego Region Health Impact & Forecasting Assessment with the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
Key Findings:
- i.) The planned 2035 built-out of the Palomar Gateway TOD is associated with increased physical activity from walking for transport, park visitation, and reductions in type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
- ii.) Quantifying both the positive and negative health outcomes of transportation investments can inform decision-making and reduce health risks for local residents.

2. Causal Evaluation of the Health Effects of Light Rail Line: A Natural Experiment in the Journal of Transport & Health

Examined the causal effect of a light rail transit (LRT) line intervention on health care costs in Portland, OR
Controlled for active travel, built environment & attitudinal factors
Completed by UD4H as part of the Health & Economic Effects of Light Rail Lines Study supported by the National Institutes of Health
Key Findings:
- i.) For a subgroup of case participants, the LRT line decreased health care costs over time relative to the control group - with variations across individual characteristics, attitudes/perceptions, and built environment features

Read more of our publications and past newsletters.

Let us know if you would like to explore further and discuss ways UD4H can help you integrate health, equity, and the built, natural, and social environment more fully into your work. Learn more about the services we offer, and contact us to begin a conversation.

Dr. Lawrence Frank, President, and the UD4H Team

Urban Design 4 Health (UD4H) develops evidence and tools to support healthy, sustainable, energy secure transportation and land use decision making.

Visit our website:
www.ud4h.com

Copyright © 2022 Urban Design 4 Health, Inc., All rights reserved.

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