Background

Foundation for CDC’s Transportation Recommendations

In 2007, representatives from CDC created a Transportation Policy Group to develop a more comprehensive approach to identifying and addressing issues related to transportation and health. Their efforts have extended to include work with the U.S. Department of Transportation, as well as non-federal partners such as the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Healthy Eating, Active Living Convergence Partnership (Convergence Partnership).

In November 2008, CDC, APHA and the Convergence Partnership, in coordination with other government and non-government organizations, hosted “Linking Transportation Policy and Public Health”, a meeting of representatives from agencies with an interest in transportation or health issues. The purpose of the meeting was to begin the process of helping these professionals learn more about the intersection of their two fields.

Work by CDC’s Transportation Policy Group and the individual programs within CDC, coupled with input received during and after the “Linking Transportation Policy and Public Health” sessions and discussions with other federal agencies, forms the basis of these recommendations.

These recommendations, published in 2010, are intended as a framework for policymakers to consider in order to strengthen transportation policies and programs by including public health and safety.