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The 2019 conference on health and active transporation : Research needs and opportunities
Berrigan, David Dannenberg, Andrew L. Lee, Michelle Rodgers, Kelly Wojcik, Janet R. Wali, Behram Tribby, Calvin P. Buehler, Ralph Sallis, James F. Roberts, Jennifer D.
Berrigan, David
Dannenberg, Andrew L.
Lee, Michelle
Rodgers, Kelly
Wojcik, Janet R.
Wali, Behram
Tribby, Calvin P.
Buehler, Ralph
Sallis, James F.
Roberts, Jennifer D.
Abstract
Active transportation (AT) is widely viewed as an important target for increasing participation in aerobic physical activity and improving health, while simultaneously addressing pollution and climate change through reductions in motor vehicular emissions. In recent years, progress in increasing AT has stalled in some countries and, furthermore, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created new AT opportunities while also exposing the barriers and health inequities related to AT for some populations. This paper describes the results of the December 2019 Conference on Health and Active Transportation (CHAT) which brought together leaders from the transportation and health disciplines. Attendees charted a course for the future around three themes: Reflecting on Innovative Practices, Building Strategic Institutional Relationships, and Identifying Research Needs and Opportunities. This paper focuses on conclusions of the Research Needs and Opportunities theme. We present a conceptual model derived from the conference sessions that considers how economic and systems analysis, evaluation of emerging technologies and policies, efforts to address inclusivity, disparities and equity along with renewed attention to messaging and communication could contribute to overcoming barriers to development and use of AT infrastructure. Specific research gaps concerning these themes are presented. We further discuss the relevance of these themes considering the pandemic. Renewed efforts at research, dissemination and implementation are needed to achieve the potential health and environmental benefits of AT and to preserve positive changes associated with the pandemic while mitigating negative ones.
Keywords
active transportation, COVID-19, climate change, physical activity, built environment, public health
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Book
Volume
18
Issue
22
Page Range
1-15
Article Number
Article 11842
ACU Department
Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access
Open