4028.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 9:24 AM

Abstract #22386

Walking and Cycling (W&C) in the WHO European Region: From health promotion to transportation policies

The promotion of walking and cycling (W&C) to increase physical activity in sedentary populations is a common component of programmes promoting healthier lifestyles. However, these forms of exercise tend to remain confined to leisure-time, without fully recognizing that much greater health and environmental benefits could be achieved by integrating W&C into daily travelling. In addition to provide the necessary amount of physical exercise, W&C would also reduce the impacts of motorized transportation, such as air pollution, noise, injuries, and psycho-social effects. The WHO “Charter on Transport Environment and Health” repositions the role of W&C into an effective mean to reduce the negative health impacts of transport while simultaneously increasing the health of the population, and promotes W&C as a strategic component of transportation policies. The Charter, adopted by European Member States at the 3rd Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, contains principles, health targets and an action plan that promotes a move towards more sustainable transport patterns. For the first time, the Charter establishes the health sector as an equal partner of the transport and environment sectors, bringing health considerations at the core of decision-making processes outside the traditional sphere of public health influence. The WHO, with the UN/ECE, produced a set of policy recommendations to achieve greater transport sustainability. These recommendations include the possible negotiation of a Regional Framework Convention on Transport, Environment and Health. The outcome of decisions to be taken by European Member States (on 4 May 2001) will be also discussed. See www.who.it/HT/teh.htm

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the amount of walking and cycling prevailing in their communities in relation to local and national transportation and land use policies.
2. Evaluate the relevance of the WHO Charter on Transport, Environment and Health to their own policy settings and strategies to reduce the burden of disease associated to transportation activities.
3. Develop a set of recommendations to increase the amount of short trips undertaken by cycling and walking, identifying the key institutions, administrative departments and stakeholders to be involved in the development of transportation policies that integrate health and environmental considerations.

Keywords: Policy/Policy Development, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, European Centre for Environment and Health, Rome
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am a staff member of the WHO, working on the programme on "Transport, Environment and Health"

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA