Cork: Towards a Healthier City Denise Cahill Health Promotion Dept, HSE South.
-
date post
21-Dec-2015 -
Category
Documents
-
view
218 -
download
0
Transcript of Cork: Towards a Healthier City Denise Cahill Health Promotion Dept, HSE South.
Cork: Towards a Healthier City
Denise Cahill
Health Promotion Dept, HSE South
Health in all policies
based on a recognition that population health is not merely a product of health sector activities but largely
determined by policies and actions beyond the health sector
Two basic premises Healthy Cities
1. A comprehensive view of health and community issues, and
2. Commitment to the active promotion of a healthy community, rather than the “treatment” of problems
Transport: A Health Perspective
Active transport
the use of physical activity such as cycling & walking as a means of transport
Inclusive transport design
creates a way for everyone to get around
Health Benefits of Active Transport
• Environmental, Mental & SocialReduced traffic congestion = more pleasant environment for living:
– Reduced emissions, better air quality and reduced respiratory problems – Reduced noise pollution– Lower stress levels – Safer access to local services for vulnerable groups such as older people, wheelchair users, visually impaired; etc.
• Physical– Reduced accidents– Cardiovascular health– Weight Management – Improves mood– Strength & Co-ordination
School Programmes
• Walk On Wednesday (WOW) & Cycle On Wednesday (COW) initiatives
• After 8 weeks of COW - increase from 3% to 14% of children cycling to school
How does your child/children currently travel to school?
Current Transport to School
2 38
74 74
81
13 12 107
10
12 1 02
0 00
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
St. Patrick's Convent NS Gaeilscoil
Per
cent
age
of S
tude
nts
Bus
Car
Walk
Car / Walk
Taxi
Walk / Cycle
Preferred means of travelling to and from school
38 3736
21
97 8
17 18
33
3739
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Per
cen
tag
e
Walk Cycle Bus Car
Preferred Means of Transport
St. Patrick's
Convent NS
Gaeilscoil
“What would help encourage your child to continue to walk to school?”
If following barriers did not exist:
• Safety / Traffic (x 53)
• Weather (x 35)
Evidence
• WHO Report “Collaboration between the health and transport sectors in promoting physical activity: examples from European countries 2006”
• 48 case studies concluded:
• Urban planning policies & large scale transport interventions have the largest impact
• Cases involving both health & transport sectors facilitated the largest amount of changes to environment required to promote cycling
Moving forward from a Health Perspective
• Information on health benefits
• Education/Training• Health Professionals• Parents• Schools• Employers
• Strategic• Healthy Cities planning• Health Impact Assessment
Possible Supports for HIA in Cork
HIA
Toolkit for implementation of the WHO Healthy Cities Model
HIA Network A fledgling network of people in the Cork area
trained in HIA who have expressed an interest in learning more and building momentum for HIA locally