BMC Public Health is calling for submissions to our Collection on transportation as a social determinant of health.
Transportation is a critical social determinant that can have a significant impact on the physical and mental health, overall wellbeing of individuals and communities, and access to essential services such as healthcare and social services, educational and employment opportunities.
The lack of reliable and safe transportation options can hinder individuals’ ability to meet their basic needs. It can be a barrier by creating dangerous travel conditions limiting people’s autonomy and social connections, leading to social isolation and loneliness, and increasing exposure to traffic collisions and harmful emissions, with a clear impact on public health.
A transportation system can impact access to employment for those without cars and equal distribution of opportunities in education for younger people, impacting the wellbeing and life satisfaction of the population. Transportation barriers particularly affect marginalized communities such as people living in rural communities, the economically disadvantaged, ethnic minorities, older adults and those with disabilities.
There is a need for transportation and public health policies to implement interventions to overcome transportation barriers, improve existing infrastructures and promote the understanding of population health outcomes related to transport options.
There are a number of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets linked to transportation as a social determinant of health, including Sustainable Development Goal 3- Good Health and Well-Being, Sustainable Development Goal 8-Decent work and Economic Growth, Sustainable Development Goal 9- Industry Innovation and Infrastructures, and Sustainable Development Goal 11- Sustainable cities and communities.
BMC Public Health has launched this collection calling for research on transportation as a social determinant of health. We would welcome submissions addressing but not limited to:
- The effects of transportation access on health and quality of life
- Policies addressing transportation barriers and transportation-related issues at the intersection of health and transportation
- Application and evaluation of public health approaches (such as Health in All Policies approaches) to transportation and vice versa
- How modes of transportation (such as public transportation or shared mobilities) relate to public health
- The relationship between health equity and access to opportunities
- Social wellbeing and mental health issues related to transportation systems
- The health and wellbeing impacts related to what occurs during travel as a result of modes used
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