title: Transport and health: a look at three Latin American cities.
abstract: Transport is associated with environmental problems, economic losses, health and social inequalities. A number of European and US cities have implemented initiatives to promote multimodal modes of transport. In Latin America changes are occurring in public transport systems and a number of projects aimed at stimulating non-motorized modes of transport (walking and cycling) have already been implemented. Based on articles from peer-reviewed academic journals, this paper examines experiences in Bogotá (Colombia), Curitiba (Brazil), and Santiago (Chile), and identifies how changes to the transport system contribute to encourage active transportation. Bus rapid transit, ciclovias, bike paths/lanes, and car use restriction are initiatives that contribute to promoting active transportation in these cities. Few studies have been carried out on the relationship between transport and physical activity. Car ownership continues to increase. The public health sector needs to be a stronger activist in the transport policy decision-making process to incorporate health issues into the transport agenda in Latin America.
authors.affiliation: Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia. jamosquerabecerra@gmail.com
authors.forename: Janeth Mosquera
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Becerra
authors.forename: Rodrigo S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Lawrence D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Farah A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Ramirez-Marrero
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Welle
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arriaga Cordero
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mendez Paz
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crespo
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dujon
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jacoby
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dill
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weigand
authors.forename: Carlos M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Padin
mesh_terms: D001336:Automobiles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001642:Bicycling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001938:Brazil; D002677:Chile; D003105:Colombia; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D009043:Motor Activity; D010067:Ownership / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D011634:Public Health; D011640:Public Policy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014186:Transportation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data