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In the last few years it has become increasingly clear that there is a very close connection between the physical organization of a community, its transportation systems, its relationship to parks and open space,  and the health of its residents.

Recent studies done by at UC San Diego and many other institutions have documented the effects of a more sedentary lifestyle that has become the norm in our communities over the last 60 years, and how better planning can help improve our individual and overall community health.

The basic findings of this research point to the suburbanization of our cities in the post-World War II era as a major factor in creating an epidemic of overweight and obese Americans, with all of the attendant health problems.  When communities became oriented toward auto use rather than transit and walking, it became very difficult in most places to walk.  When people couldn’t easily or safely walk in their communities, it made it very difficult for them to get even the moderate level of physical activity recommended by health professionals for good health.

The health and planning professions have been collaborating extensively over the past 10 years to develop the policies, programs and projects that will help turn this situation around.  Last month, the U.S. Surgeon General launched a on Promoting Walking and Walkable Communities.  This will bring the effort by the planning profession to create more compact communities with better walking, biking and transit options into greater focus nationally, and here in Oregon.

The Portland area has been aggressively working on this for at least 20 years, but we still have a long way to go to turn things around and make our communities as healthy as they can be.