Resource Library

This policy implementation guide was produced as an informational resource for community members, local stakeholders such as park and school officials, parents, teachers and public health advocates interested in improving opportunities for healthy living. 

An informal video on the history of jaywalking and why it is now a crime.

Information to help communities make smart school siting decisions that support a community-centered facility for education, safe access to physical activity, and overall accessibility that improves quality of life for students and communities.

This brief profiles four MPOs, each of which used a thoughtful and innovative approach to TAP that was ultimately beneficial to the safety of children and families on the trip to and from school. 

The Potential of Safe, Secure and Accessible Playgrounds to Increase Children’s Physical Activity was published by Active Living Reseach (a RWJF program) in February 2011. The report summarizes research on the importance of playgrounds for children’s physical activity. Some highlights of this report are:

Abstract: Over the past several decades, obesity has grown into a major global epidemic. In the United States, more than two-thirds of adults are now overweight and one-third is obese. In this article, we provide an overview of the state of research on the likely economic impact of the US obesity epidemic at the national level. 

This paper summarizes information on shorter trips, based on 2009 National Household Travel Survey data. 

In September 2009, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released Local Government Actions to Prevent Childhood Obesity, a report that identifies specific actions that local governments can take to increase physical activity and improve healthy eating in communities. 

The publication is described as providing research about the current state of physical activity in the nation and highlights organization practices and public policies to improve physical activity among children and youth. 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2010 published a set of recommendations for improving health through transportation policy. 

This report explores how dependence on automobiles and roadways has profound negative impacts on human health. 

Abstract: The commentary suggests two primary policy issues that must be addressed nationally. 

The Safe States Alliance is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to serve as the national voice in support of state and local injury and violence prevention professionals engaged in building a safer, healthier America. 

The publication makes a compelling case for embedding safety strategies into community efforts to promote healthy eating and physical activity. 

The report, Obesity and its Relation to Mortality and Morbidity Costs, prepared by Donald Behan and Samuel Cox of the Society of Actuaries, is a review of almost 500 research articles on obesity and its relation to mortality and morbidity, focusing primarily on papers published from January 1980 to June 2009. 

The purpose of this Shape of the Nation Report is to provide current information about the status of physical education in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in the following areas:

This is a 15-year plan for pedestrian safety research and technology transfer. It was developed to address pedestrian safety concerns and equip professionals and other stakeholders with proper knowledge, resources, and information needed to identify problems and implement solutions related to the roadway environment. 

School environments that support active commuting best encourage young people’s participation in different types of physical activities. 

The America Needs Complete Streets report written by Dan Burden and Todd Litman was published in the April 2011 edition of ITE Journal. 

Key takeaway:

• The inclusion of equity as a stated goal is emerging in pedestrian and bicycle plans across the country. This report recommends that plans include more details about the process of defining equity and improving data for equity-related performance measures.