Transport

Transport is linked to public health in terms of ‘active’ transport (walking and cycling); environmental issues such as air pollution, and accidents and injuries. Road traffic accidents are a major cause of injury and premature death. Transport also has implications for health inequalities: for example, air pollution is worse in more deprived areas and child pedestrian deaths are five times higher in social class V than I.

The South East Public Health Observatory has the national lead for transport: www.sepho.org.uk

In the North East we travel the fewest miles per person per year (outside of London) with a total of 6,140. The majority of which is accounted for by car travel although car usage is less than the England average. The vast majority of individuals use the car as their main transportation to work, more so than England on average. However the North East is also one of the highest users of bus and coaches for transport to work, although we are the lowest users of bikes for travel to work.

Regional Transport Statistics 2007

NICE/ HDA publications search for "transport" or specific briefing transport and health