Transportation

Public Health and Transportation

The SRPEDD Transportation Planning Department prioritizes commitments to strong public health outcomes in all transportation issues.

All communities deserve the resources and opportunities to achieve positive health outcomes. These allow individuals to live, work, and thrive in the places they call home.

Public health refers to the science concerned with the prevention of disease and injury at the community and population level. Across Southeastern Massachusetts, individuals deserve to live, work, and thrive in communities that prioritize positive health and wellbeing outcomes for all. The SRPEDD Public Health Program advocates for the integration of core public health principles in all transportation planning practices, including:

Eliminating transportation-related injuries and fatalities through safe and effective planning procedures

Prioritizing community engagement opportunities to ensure that transportation improvements reflect the needs and lived experiences of community voices

Coordinating cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure community resources are both available and accessible through strong planning practices

Reducing the negative health impacts of transportation services for vulnerable communities

Improving overall health and individual wellbeing through proactive, long-range public health practices that protect the longevity of community health outcomes

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The World Health Organization (WHO) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The World Health Organization’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outline the 17 global public health achievements established by the United Nations to ensure safer, healthier, and more economically, socially, and environmentally just communities.

The SRPEDD Transportation Planning Department acknowledges the following SDGs as integral considerations in its practices:

SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

SDG 10: Reduce Inequalities

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goal

World Health Organization Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Graphic

Healthy Food Access Plan

Not all individuals within the region have equitable access to healthy food options. Nutritional, affordable foods are integral to strong individual and community health outcomes.

Beginning October 2024, SRPEDD Transportation staff members are in the process of producing the inaugural Healthy Food Access Plan. This future document seeks to:

Understand the current food access landscape in the region
Highlight disparities in community access to healthy, affordable food options
Record and visualize community engagement feedback
Recommend action items for community-specific and regional resilience strategies to ensure equitable access to healthy food choices

Check back here for more updates as staff continues their work on this plan!

Acushnet Agricultural Landscape Photo (09/2024)