TRANSPORT + HEALTH 2025
Transport policies have wide impacts on health and health inequalities – they can promote, or damage, our health. The way we move, and our access to mobility choices, affect our health both as individuals and as a community. Efficient and affordable transport networks provide access to the opportunities and amenities which define the quality of our lives.
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Around 80% of contributors to good – or poor – health are due to factors outside of healthcare. People need the right building blocks in place for good health, and a clean, accessible transport system is one of them, along with safe housing and proximity to green or blue spaces.
Given the Government’s priorities across its Net Zero, Integrated Transport and Active Travel policy areas, maximising the co-benefits inherent in low-carbon transport interventions, active travel investment and better planning outcomes, there has rarely been a more positive time to prioritise health in transport and
planning policy.
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We know that more walking, wheeling and cycling will improve our country’s mental and physical health, but it will do much more, it’s the foundation for thriving integrated public transport networks, it increases access to work, boosting local economic growth and it will give millions of children more independence
Professor Sir Chris Whitty, England's Chief Medical Officer for England & the UK government's Chief Medical Adviser
WHAT'S GOING TO BE DISCUSSED:
Poor quality urban environments and mobility options substantially increase non-communicable diseases. Integrating health, well-being and social inclusion with urban development, planning and transport policy-making can help tackle the root causes of poor public health.
The event will focus tackling the complex health issues relating to transport systems, with input from a wide range of professions:
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Promoting active travel: active travel is beneficial for people's physical and mental health and wellbeing
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A major shift away from single car use to sustainable mobility networks which prioritise intermodal walk-bike-bus-train networks, so reducing the number of cars on the road
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Creating places that are favourable to car-lite living for all
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Reducing the potential harms from the road transport system: collisions, poor air quality and damaging environmental factors
The keynotes, breakout sessions and workshops will share best practice on:
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Air quality and noise management initiatives
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Public transport improvement and integration
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Delivering active travel infrastructure
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Behaviour change initiatives and incentives
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Settlements that encourage activity and provide connectivity
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Transport equality and inclusion
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Promoting evidence-based approaches through knowledge and skills transfer
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Tackling polarisation and populism
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Cross sector collaboration: frameworks and funding
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Maximising co-benefits through active planning
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Improving the health 'viability' of neighbourhoods
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Traffic restraint and demand management
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Land use, housing, social cohesion and transport
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Increasing physical activity has health benefits across the life course. As part of this, we need to make walking and cycling more accessible and safer, as well as access to green space easier and more equitable. This will help remove barriers to improving physical activity levels and could significantly improve the health of England’s increasingly urban population
Chris Boardman CBE, National Active Travel Commissioner
THIS EVENT WILL EXPLORE WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO IMPROVE – AND HOW WE DO IT
BOOST ACTIVE TRAVEL
In the United Kingdom, physical inactivity is the fourth greatest cause of ill health with negative impacts on health, social and economic outcomes for individuals and communities. It is responsible for 1 in 6 UK deaths, which is equivalent to smoking. Importantly, up to 40% of long-term conditions could be prevented if everyone met the UK Chief Medical Officer’s physical activity recommendations.
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IMPROVE AIR QUALITY
In 2024, domestic transport accounted for 30% of all emissions, with carbon dioxide accounting for 98% of emissions for this sector. The main source of emissions from this sector is the use of petrol and diesel in road vehicles. Particulate matter, particularly PM2.5 and PM10, is one of the most harmful pollutants emitted by vehicles. Fine particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, causing inflammatory responses and leading to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
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REDUCE NOISE
Road traffic noise pollution in the UK can significantly impact public health, contributing to stress, sleep disturbances, and increased risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. A UKHSA study in 2028 found that around 100,000 Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) were lost in England due to road traffic noise.
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DELIVER ROAD DANGER REDUCTION
In 2024, UK roads saw an estimated 1,633 road fatalities,
a 1% increase from 2023. There were 29,537 KSI (Killed or Seriously Injured) casualties, which was similar to 2023. According to the UK’s road safety charity Brake, death or serious injury occurs on UK roads every 22 minutes. Recent statistics uncovered the material cost of fatal accidents to the NHS, indicating that each car crash involving a casualty costs the healthcare service over
£2 million.
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CREATE BETTER ACCESS TO GREEN AND
BLUE SPACES
Local authorities could improve the mental health of their community by increasing the greenery in their towns and cities and improving access to green and blue spaces. A recent NIHR study found that people had a lower risk of anxiety and depression if their home’s immediate surroundings (within 200-300 metres) were greener, and they could access green and blue spaces nearby.
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BUILD PLACES DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE,
NOT CARS
Roads and parking spaces interfere with aesthetics and cause loss of green and blue spaces. Front gardens paved for parking can damage ecosystems and increase flooding, and paved surfaces like car parks can increase local temperatures, exacerbate heat waves and cause heat-related illnesses such as heat stress and heat stroke.
CALL FOR PAPERS: Closes 1 Aug
If you have a suggestion for a presentation, demonstration or a workshop, please email the details, in no more than 250 words, to Juliana O’Rourke
Please include talk title, description, speaker details and email address.
The closing date is 1 August 2025.
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We are looking for content in the following areas:
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Integrating health, well-being and social inclusion with urban development, planning and transport
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Tackling polarisation and populism
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Air quality and noise management initiatives
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Public transport improvement and integration
-
Delivering active travel infrastructure
-
Behaviour change initiatives and incentives
-
Settlements that encourage activity and provide connectivity
-
Transport equality and inclusion
-
Promoting evidence-based approaches through knowledge and skills transfer
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Maximising co-benefits through active planningCross sector collaboration: frameworks and funding
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Improving the health ‘viability’ of neighbourhoods
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Traffic restraint and demand management
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Land use, housing, social cohesion and transport
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Collecting and analysing meaningful data: supporting the evidence base
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Insights from community-based health initiatives
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There will also be an Innovation Session for those with products, tools and services aimed at supporting the themes above.
