In order to fully address the root causes of the health inequities we see in our state, it is important to remember that what influences our health goes far beyond what happens in a doctor’s office. Many social and environmental factors contribute to our health and wellbeing. Among these, community planning and transportation design have some of the biggest impacts.
Today in Oakland, Prevention Institute hosted From Streetscapes to Thriving Communities, an event focused on how we can design our communities to better promote health. In particular, the event focused on creating safe streets:
Streets are in many ways at the heart of our communities, and street design can shape health out-comes in powerful ways – preventing traffic injuries and violence, promoting community cohesion and mental health, supporting physical activity, and more. But street design isn’t enough. Residents need safe places to play, great destinations, and a thriving local economy.
Two prominent experts, Dinesh Mohan and Dick Jackson, engaged in a terrific discussion on creating healthier streets. Here are some highlights from Twitter:
"The kind of thinking embodied by these guests led us to create PI"– Larry Cohen #streetscapes pic.twitter.com/hbeYZX2cmC
— Prevention Institute (@preventioninst) May 26, 2015
Dick: "disparity of incomes is a crushing problem for public health in the US" #streetscapes
— Prevention Institute (@preventioninst) May 26, 2015
Health is not separate from housing from agriculture or anything else – Dick Jackson #streetscapes
— Cultiva La Salud (@CultivaLaSalud) May 26, 2015
Dick: "we're at code blue here. We need to change how we build cities, how we move around.We need infrastructure investments" #streetscapes
— Prevention Institute (@preventioninst) May 26, 2015
Dick: "people have a right to demand healthy places…I think this country is desperate for a new culture" #streetscapes
— Prevention Institute (@preventioninst) May 26, 2015
Dinesh: ask if your grandmother can cross the street alone at night. If yes, it's a livable city. #streetscapes
— Prevention Institute (@preventioninst) May 26, 2015