2. The Health Benefits of Active Transportation

3. Do city planners have more power than doctors over health?

4. Outline Air pollution Air pollution Global warming Global warming Obesity *** Obesity ***

5. Even if you dont smell or see it, air pollution from cars has an impact in your community.

7. Health Effects of Air Pollution Asthma - Asthma - Asthma rates have at least doubled in the last few decades to ~10% in adults, even higher for kids Cardiovascular disease – increased in both long and short-term exposure Cardiovascular disease – increased in both long and short-term exposure Chronic lung disease (COPD) increased Chronic lung disease (COPD) increased

8. Put another way For 2003 in Ontario, the OMA estimates 2,060 premature deaths, 48,690 emergency room visits, $465.2 million in direct health care (hospital) costs, and $585.6 million in lost productivity costs due to air pollution For 2003 in Ontario, the OMA estimates 2,060 premature deaths, 48,690 emergency room visits, $465.2 million in direct health care (hospital) costs, and $585.6 million in lost productivity costs due to air pollution

10. Are we already too late to stop global warming? With a population of less than 30 million, we use as much energy as the entire continent of Africa Our car use may account for up to 60% of our personal contribution to global warming.

11. Health Effects of Global Warming New infectious diseases in new populations New infectious diseases in new populations Indirect effect Food production issues Food production issues Human displacement Human displacement Decreased access to clean water Decreased access to clean water

13. The Obesity Epidemic Almost 60% of Canadians are now overweight (BMI 25-30), a huge increase over several decades Almost 60% of Canadians are now overweight (BMI 25-30), a huge increase over several decades In CB, about 2/3 are obese (BMI over 30) or overweight In CB, about 2/3 are obese (BMI over 30) or overweight Obesity Rates in 7-13 yr olds tripled 81-96 Obesity Rates in 7-13 yr olds tripled 81-96 And I could go on and on And I could go on and on

15. Obesity isnt all its cracked up to be Diabetics – 15X higher ovrwt, 40X if obese Diabetics – 15X higher ovrwt, 40X if obese Arthritis – 4X higher obese Arthritis – 4X higher obese Hypertension – 75% of HTN is wt related Hypertension – 75% of HTN is wt related Heart disease – 3-5X increase Heart disease – 3-5X increase Cancers – kidney, endometrial, breast, prostate, ?colon Cancers – kidney, endometrial, breast, prostate, ?colon Stroke – 2-3X increase Stroke – 2-3X increase Kidney failure - 2X ovrwt, 4-7X if obese Kidney failure - 2X ovrwt, 4-7X if obese

18. SICK CARE Is not the same as Health Care

19. Medical Solutions to Obesity Educate RE diet and activity – you should watch your diet and exercise more Educate RE diet and activity – you should watch your diet and exercise more Drugs Drugs Surgery Surgery Focus is on TREATMENT, not prevention Focus is on TREATMENT, not prevention

20. Obesity is a SYMPTOM, not a disease

21. How do we stop the obesity trend? Education programs have been ineffective Temporary effects Temporary effects go to the gym – high attrition go to the gym – high attrition Sport programs have been ineffective Expense, time for parents Expense, time for parents High attrition for adults, some sports unsuitable for lifelong exercise High attrition for adults, some sports unsuitable for lifelong exercise

23. Health Promotion Lifestyle change can be facilitated through a combination of efforts to enhance awareness, change behaviour and create environments that support good health practices. Of the three, supportive environments will probably have the greatest impact in producing lasting change ". (American Journal of Health Promotion, 1989,3,3,5) Lifestyle change can be facilitated through a combination of efforts to enhance awareness, change behaviour and create environments that support good health practices. Of the three, supportive environments will probably have the greatest impact in producing lasting change ". (American Journal of Health Promotion, 1989,3,3,5)

24. Change the Environment, Change the People

25. Obesogenic Environments

27. Suburbanization

33. Commuting makes sense Driver 10 minutes to work each way 10 minutes to work each way 10 minutes to gym each way 3 times per wk 10 minutes to gym each way 3 times per wk Exercise bike 1hr 3X/wk Exercise bike 1hr 3X/wk 5hrs 40 min total commute/exercise 5hrs 40 min total commute/exercise 2000 calories burned 2000 calories burned About 365 cal/hr About 365 cal/hr Bike Commuter 20 minutes to work each way 20 minutes to work each way 3hrs 20 min per wk total commute/exercise 3hrs 20 min per wk total commute/exercise 2350 calories burned 2350 calories burned About 700 cal/hr About 700 cal/hr

34. An opportunity in CBRM? Median Distance for Errands is 3km, and 5km to work (approx. 20min bike ride) Median Distance for Errands is 3km, and 5km to work (approx. 20min bike ride) 47% want to cycle more 47% want to cycle more 61% said they would cycle to work if there were a dedicated bike lane which would take me to my workplace in 30 min. or less at a comfortable pace 61% said they would cycle to work if there were a dedicated bike lane which would take me to my workplace in 30 min. or less at a comfortable pace 90% support creation of bike lanes 90% support creation of bike lanes

35. Does it work? Sydney Fattest* Canadian city Fattest* Canadian city Showcase for urban sprawl Showcase for urban sprawl No AT infrastructure No AT infrastructureVancouver Fittest Canadian city Fittest Canadian city Sprawl, but more controlled (no new highways) Sprawl, but more controlled (no new highways) Lots of effort in AT Lots of effort in AT Other Countries: Sweden, Denmark, Holland – very high modal share of AT, lots of infrastructure!!

36. Obesity Rates HALF Energy Usage per capita 33% less (with comparable standard of living)

40. Rate your community 8 to 80? 8 to 80? High heels? High heels? Suits? Suits? Percentage of lycra? Percentage of lycra? Is there a demand yet? Is there a demand yet?

41. Any Questions?