Transportation public health link: Changing perspectives…Changing a culture through cross-disciplinary collaboration

• Published in: Journal of transport & health Vol. 2; no. 2; pp. S2 - S4
• Main Author: Warsow, Karyn M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2015
• Subjects: Collaboration; Cross-disciplinary; Evidence-based; Health; Systems; Transport; Evidence-based; Transport; Health; Collaboration; Systems; Cross-disciplinary
• ISSN: 2214-1405; 2214-1413
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2015.04.194

The Transportation Public Health Link (TPH Link) is based on a conceptual framework of the transportation planning process that considers the synergy between the social, political, environmental, and economic elements that influence the health of communities. As a multi-dimensional integrative problem solving approach, this process has the flexibility to account for individual determinants of health acting at different levels. In this manner, an upstream perspective is used to understand the diverse impacts on quality of life. The TPH Link supports the inclusion of a cross-disciplinary team of professionals in the design, planning and development of proposed and rehabilitated transportation infrastructure projects. Quantitative and qualitative research, performance metrics, and strategic management methodologies from multiple disciplines areused to effectively evaluate the impact of a proposed facility. This systematic approach including continuous process improvement, project evaluation, data analyses, and outreach and education drive the process. As funding streams continue to shrink and the demand for accountability and improvements in operational efficiencies increase, it is imperative for transportation to partner with nontraditional disciplines to devise strategic goals, transparency, and innovative ideas that meet the health and transportation needs of a growing population. •Cross-Disciplinary Partnerships.•Systems Approach that considers the interdependence of social, political, economic and environmental elements of sustainability.•Evidence-Based Research.•Integrative Problem-Solving.•Establishing a Common Language.