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Transportation Matters: A Health Impact Assessment in Rural New Mexico

Author

Listed:
  • Michelle Del Rio

    (Center for Environmental Resource Management, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA)

  • William L. Hargrove

    (Center for Environmental Resource Management, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA)

  • Joe Tomaka

    (College of Health and Social Services, New Mexico State University, P.O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA)

  • Marcelo Korc

    (Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, 525 23rd St., Washington, DC 20037, USA)

Abstract

This Health Impact Assessment (HIA) informed the decision of expanding public transportation services to rural, low income communities of southern Doña Ana County, New Mexico on the U.S./Mexico border. The HIA focused on impacts of access to health care services, education, and economic development opportunities. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from surveys of community members, key informant interviews, a focus group with community health workers, and passenger surveys during an initial introduction of the transit system. Results from the survey showed that a high percentage of respondents would use the bus system to access the following: (1) 84% for health services; (2) 83% for formal and informal education opportunities; and (3) 81% for economic opportunities. Results from interviews and the focus group supported the benefits of access to services but many were concerned with the high costs of providing bus service in a rural area. We conclude that implementing the bus system would have major impacts on resident’s health through improved access to: (1) health services, and fresh foods, especially for older adults; (2) education opportunities, such as community colleges, universities, and adult learning, especially for young adults; and (3) economic opportunities, especially jobs, job training, and consumer goods and services. We highlight the challenges associated with public transportation in rural areas where there are: (1) long distances to travel; (2) difficulties in scheduling to meet all needs; and (3) poor road and walking conditions for bus stops. The results are applicable to low income and fairly disconnected rural areas, where access to health, education, and economic opportunities are limited.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle Del Rio & William L. Hargrove & Joe Tomaka & Marcelo Korc, 2017. "Transportation Matters: A Health Impact Assessment in Rural New Mexico," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-19, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:6:p:629-:d:101342
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter James & Kate Ito & Rachel F. Banay & Jonathan J. Buonocore & Benjamin Wood & Mariana C. Arcaya, 2014. "A Health Impact Assessment of a Proposed Bill to Decrease Speed Limits on Local Roads in Massachusetts (U.S.A.)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-23, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Javanmard, Reyhane & Lee, Jinhyung & Kim, Kyusik & Park, Jinwoo & Diab, Ehab, 2024. "Evaluating the impacts of supply-demand dynamics and distance decay effects on public transit project assessment: A study of healthcare accessibility and inequalities," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    2. Laura E. T. Swan & Samantha L. Auerbach & Gretchen E. Ely & Kafuli Agbemenu & Jessica Mencia & Nimah R. Araf, 2020. "Family Planning Practices in Appalachia: Focus Group Perspectives on Service Needs in the Context of Regional Substance Abuse," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-25, February.
    3. Shiue-Shan Weng & Ta-Chien Chan & Pei-Ying Hsu & Shu-Fen Niu, 2021. "Neighbourhood Social Determinants of Health and Geographical Inequalities in Premature Mortality in Taiwan: A Spatiotemporal Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, July.
    4. Raghad Almashhour & Mohamed AlQahtani & Malick Ndiaye, 2023. "Highway Transportation, Health, and Social Equity: A Delphi-ANP Approach to Sustainable Transport Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-38, November.

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