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Health cobenefits and transportation-related reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the San Francisco Bay Area

Author

Listed:
  • Maizlish, N.
  • Woodcock, J.
  • Co, S.
  • Ostro, B.
  • Fanai, A.
  • Fairley, D.

Abstract

Objectives: We quantified health benefits of transportation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE). Methods: Statistics on travel patterns and injuries, physical activity, fine particulate matter, and GHGE in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, were input to a model that calculated the health impacts of walking and bicycling short distances usually traveled by car or driving low-emission automobiles. We measured the change in disease burden in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) based on dose-response relationships and the distributions of physical activity, particulate matter, and traffic injuries. Results: Increasing median daily walking and bicycling from 4 to 22 minutes reduced the burden of cardiovascular disease and diabetes by 14% (32 466 DALYs), increased the traffic injury burden by 39% (5907 DALYS), and decreased GHGE by 14%. Low-carbon driving reduced GHGE by 33.5% and cardiorespiratory disease burden by less than 1%. Conclusions: Increased physical activity associated with active transport could generate a large net improvement in population health. Measures would be needed to minimize pedestrian and bicyclist injuries. Together, active transport and low-carbon driving could achieve GHGE reductions sufficient for California to meet legislative mandates.

Suggested Citation

  • Maizlish, N. & Woodcock, J. & Co, S. & Ostro, B. & Fanai, A. & Fairley, D., 2013. "Health cobenefits and transportation-related reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the San Francisco Bay Area," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(4), pages 703-709.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2012.300939_6
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.300939
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