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American Public Health Association Transportation and Health Toolkit (US)

In May 2011 the American Public Health Association released on online toolkit to help build bridges between the public health and transportation communities. The health and transportation toolkit includes talking points, outreach materials and resources which can be downloaded for free.

The advocacy toolkit is deesigned to enable public health professionals to talk to and build relationshsips with transport planners. Three principles guided the development of the toolkit

• Principle 1: Meet Them Where They Are. Transportation decision-makers need to understand that the public health community understands the day-to-day challenges they face. Right or wrong, their focus is overwhelmingly on keeping cars moving. Acknowledging this reality is important – and the fact is that the same options that improve public health cut traffic congestion and keep roads safe and in good shape.

• Principle 2: Talk in Terms They Understand. The transportation decision-making process is driven by money, doing a lot with a little on ever-shrinking budgets. Where possible, the economic component of public health benefits should be part of our communication.

• Principle 3: Then Own Your Own Space. The purpose of these guidelines is not to make us apologize for promoting policies that protect public health – we can and must provide the best information about how decisions can increase opportunities for physical activity, improve road safety, reduce air pollution and more. But by presenting these arguments in a context that validates the core concerns of transportation decision-makers, they are far more likely to be heard.

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