Transport and health: en route to a healthier Australia?

We have been slow to recognise the impact: that decisions about transport, land use and infrastructure have on health, Apart from encouraging a sedentary lifestyle, reliance on motor vehicle tra nsport has a range of adverse health effects (traffic accidents, air and no ise pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions). Physical activity equivalent to 30 minutes (in total) of brisk walking on a ll, or most, days of the week provides preventive and protective benefits f or a wide range of health conditions (including cardiovascular disease, dia betes, depression and osteoporosis), "Active transport" - walking, cycling and/or using public transport instead of car travel - could have dual health benefits by providing physical acti vity and reducing the adverse health effects of motor vehicle transport. Doctors, medical administrators and health advocates can encourage the use of "active transport", and influence community-based programs and policy de velopment about land use planning and travel demand management.