BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - Transportation and energy policies designed to fight climate change can also save lives, the Vermont Health Department says.
An analysis of the transportation goals in the state’s Comprehensive Energy Plan calls for walking, biking and bus use to double by 2030, which it says could help prevent 2,000 early deaths and save $1.1 billion in health care costs and lost productivity.
“Meeting Vermont’s transportation goals is a significant health-in-all-policies objective,” state Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said in a statement. “When the state takes these important steps to improve transportation and address climate change, it has a ripple effect on public health through improved physical activity, better air quality, traffic safety and overall quality of life.”
The transportation plan also calls for an increase in carpooling and sets 2050 as the target year for 80% of the cars in Vermont to be electric powered. Electric vehicles are critical to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the plan says, but the greatest benefits to health would come from more walking and biking.
Vermonters spend nearly 500 minutes traveling on various forms of transportation each week, but only about 50 of those minutes are spent walking or biking.
Levine said lack of physical activity, poor diet and tobacco use contribute to four chronic diseases - cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and lung disease - that result in more than 50% of all deaths in Vermont.
“Two out of five adults in Vermont do not get enough physical activity, which increases the risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and dementia,” Levine said. “Changing the way we get around can provide important health benefits, as well as reduce the more than $2 billion it costs to treat chronic diseases in Vermont each year.”
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