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STPP
California 2003 - 2004 Initiatives
Healthy
Streets
The
decline in physical activity among children and adults has
been linked to rising prevalence of childhood obesity and
other health related problems.
In particular, the prevalence of obesity appears to be
disproportionately high among minority adults and children.
One
California
survey found, for instance,
that Latino teens were twice as likely as their Caucasian
peers to be overweight or at risk.
Another statewide survey of children aged
nine to 11
shows similar discrepancies,
with 43 percent of African Americans, 37 percent of Latinos
and 29 percent of Caucasians either overweight or at risk.
STPP is working to permanently establish two different grant
programs administered by Caltrans that have proven essential
to the planning, programming and implementation of
transportation projects that improve public participation,
reduce congestion and pollution, and improve the mobility of
low-income and minority communities.
STPP is also helping to promote transportation choices
that promote public health, and provide safe transportation
alternatives for seniors and children.
This work is supported by policy change, research and
the engagement of local citizens in the transportation
decision-making process.
I.
Environmental Justice/Community Based
Transportation Planning
Due to the
efforts of STPP, California Futures Network, the
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the California Alliance for
Transportation Choices (CATC) and many other advocates, over
250 groups signed on to restore $8 million/annual Caltrans
grants that were initially cut by former Governor Davis in the
2003-2004 Budget, which included the restoration of the
Community Based Transportation Planning (CBTP) grants critical
for planning of livable communities and Environmental Justice
Planning grants which have engaged an unprecedented number of
environmental justice communities in the planning of
transportation projects throughout California.
Through the CATC, STPP and other coalition partners
will be leading the efforts to have the legislature
permanently authorize funding for the CBTP and EJ grants.
To
learn more about these grants or easily share this information with
others, please download the following fact sheet:
Seniors
Transportation: For
most of us, mobility is a necessity we take for granted.
Among life’s essential routines and responsibilities, we
jump into cars to travel a few blocks or several miles at
will. Yet, for millions of elderly Americans, there are
few transportation options. The result is often a life
of isolation. As the elderly population swells, this
problem will become increasingly more serious and costly
- economically and socially - unless we make
solutions like public transportation a national priority.
STPP recently released a new study “Aging
Americans: Stranded Without Options,” in collaboration
with AARP and the American Public Transit Association (APTA).
The study finds that as Americans grow older, our
existing transportation network is unable to meet the needs of
the nation’s aging population particularly as they become
less willing and able to drive.
The report
recommends providing more public transportation options;
increasing funding and flexibility for existing programs to
serve older people; better transportation planning with
greater coordination with land use planning; improved human
service and transportation coordination; and improved street
design and safety features.
Through increased federal, state and local
investment and community
support, new programs can fulfill the promise of rewarding
senior years.
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