ALL PHOTOS CREDIT: GRAHAM MATSALLA
tra ns p o r t at io n + h ealt h
TRANSPORTATION & HEALTH JOIN FORCES FOR GREATER IMPACT Collaborating with the health sector to achieve shared goals BY GRAHAM MATSALLA ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES There is a feeling that many sectors share: the expectation to accomplish more with less. One way to approach this problem is by collaborating with other sectors to accomplish shared goals. For the health and transportation sectors, the opportunities for collective impact are plentiful.
HEALTH AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Evidence has shown that the built and social environment of a community influences the health of all community members, including mental health as well as physical activity. Though it may not be an obvious link, the built environment and community connections relates closely to my work in the area of mental health promotion. First, it is important to
recognize that mental health means more than just a lack of mental health illness; it also includes a holistic sense of well�being, including positive mental health practices. Then we can see that mental health can have a direct relation to healthy community design. Positive mental health is important for physical health of community members, educational achievement, the social capital of communities, and for the economy. Physical health can also influence mental health. One specific area of mental health promotion that we are working on is looking at how to prevent social isolation and loneliness in communities to increase community health. There is evidence to support connections between social cohesion, physical health, depression, and healthy weight. It is interesting to see the link between mental health, physical activity, and transportation. Continued on page 31... WINTER 2019-2020 | TRANSPORTATION TALK 30
