Public transportation in London impacts public health in several key ways: 1) Air pollution and traffic collisions from motor vehicles lead to increased rates of cancer, heart disease, lung disease and child development issues. 2) Lack of accessibility and physical inactivity due to overreliance on cars results in higher risks of obesity, diabetes and mental health problems. 3) Poor transportation options can isolate communities and increase social problems.

1. Public Health & Air Quality
Lucy Saunders FFPH
Public Health Specialist GLA / TfL

2. What is Public Health?
The science and art of promoting and protecting health and
well-being, preventing ill-health and prolonging life
through the organised efforts of society.

3. What are the public health priorities?

4. Why transport is vital for the health of Londoners
London’s existing
transport system
Air
Pollution
Road Traffic
Collisions
Poor
accessibilit
y
Physical
Inactivity
Cancer
Heart Disease
Lung disease
Child
development
Deaths & Injuries
Mental health
Community
Breakdown
Social isolation
Diabetes
ObesityThe health impacts of the
transport system in London
relate mostly to
motorised road transport.

5. The main transport impacts on health
Costs to
UK
society
Social
gradient
Physical
Inactivity
Air
Pollution
Road collisions
£9.8bn £8.7bn£10.6bn

6. How to become a local health priority
Clinical
Commissioning
Group
Health & Wellbeing
Board
Health &
Wellbeing
Strategy
JSNA PHOF
+

7. Air Quality Guides for Public Health
Air quality data for each borough
www.london.gov.uk/air-quality/health
So far we have produced:
-Camden
-Greenwich
-Haringey
-Lewisham
-Redbridge
-Wandsworth
-Waltham Forest
-Westminster

8. High level outcomes
Wider determinants
Health
improvement
Health protection
Healthcare improvement
Public Health Outcome Framework

9. High level outcomes
Wider determinants
Health
improvement
Health protection
Healthcare improvement
Public Health Outcome Framework

10. What makes a street a healthy street
is largely the same as what makes a
street vital, liveable, good for the
local economy and good for the
environment
Clean Air
Shade &
Shelter
People feel
safe
Places to
stop
People
choose to
walk and
cycle
People feel
relaxed
Pedestrians
from all
walks of life
Things to
see and do
Not too noisy

11. High level outcomes
Wider determinants
Health
improvement
Health protection
Healthcare improvement
PHOF –links between transport & health

12. Clean Air
Shade &
Shelter
People feel
safe
Places to
stop
People
choose to
walk and
cycle
People feel
relaxed
Pedestrians
from all
walks of life
Things to
see and do
Not too noisy
What are your ambitions
and aspirations for the
streets in your borough?

13. lucy.saunders@london.gov.uk