County urges bikers to use TriMet as wildfire smoke fills Portland streets (updated)
Will tomorrow be the first Sunday Parkways postponed on account of global climate change?
public health
Comment of the Week: Biking, fitness and weight loss are three different things
“I doubt there’s a fat girl alive who has any doubts about the desirability of being thin.”
Lifestyle column: You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone
I was a remarkably healthy cancer patient. Until I stopped bike commuting.
Cycling helps earn Portland ‘Fittest City in America’ title
Another reason Portland should prioritize infrastructure projects that improve bicycling: it makes us fit. In fact, what we’ve already done has helped make us “America’s Fittest City” according to one national magazine.
Study shows cycling in heavy traffic may pose heart risk
Riding on SW Broadway in downtown Portland.(Photo © J. Maus) [Via Environmental Health News] In what researchers call the first study ever to examine the relationship between traffic-related air pollution exposures and cardiac health among people who ride bikes, a study published last month found that cycling near heavy traffic “may have a significant impact” … Read more
Summit panel urges stronger connection between mobility, race, health
The panelists: L to R: Dr. Philip Wu, Olivia Quiroz, Mychal Tetteh, Noelle Dobson.(Photos: BikePortland/Patrick Croasdaile) In recent years, the fields of public health, equity and transportation policy have become increasingly linked. At a breakout session at the Active Transportation Summit yesterday, advocates and experts came together to learn more about why these issues are … Read more
CDC says U.S. transportation system needs health check-up
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a series of recommendations on how to improve health through transportation policy. The report is a resounding endorsement of the current stance of the U.S. Department of Transportation and of local and national advocacy groups and government agencies that are calling for an increased focus on … Read more
Bike riding doctor Mel Kohn to lead Oregon Health Authority
Dr. Kohn, speaking in support of Safe Routes to School during a visit by the U.S. Surgeon General in April 2008.(Photos © J. Maus) Dr. Mel Kohn has been named the new head of the Oregon Public Health Division, which is set to become part of the new Oregon Health Authority. Kohn had been serving … Read more
Events explore link between transportation, health, and equity
Mel Rader of Upstream Public Health speaks at PSU today.(Photo © J. Maus) A quick note about a few events on the horizon that explore how transportation policy impacts the environment, public health and social equity. Today at noon (sorry for late notice), Mel Rader of Portland-based health advocacy organization Upstream Public Health will speak … Read more
New study: Less driving would make Oregon healthier
Download the study here. Portland-based Upstream Public Health has just released an important new statewide study that draws a clear connection between transportation policy decisions and people’s health. The study — Oregon’s first-ever statewide Health Impact Assessment (HIA) — was commissioned by Upstream and funded by the Northwest Health Foundation. Upstream collaborated with Oregon Health … Read more
Off to Corvallis to talk about public health
This morning I’m off to the campus of Oregon State University in Corvallis to attend the Oregon Public Health Association’s annual conference. I’ve been invited by the Northwest Health Foundation (NWHF) to join a panel discussion titled, New Partners in the Movement to Re-frame “Public Health”. The NWHF is behind the Community Health Priorities project, … Read more