Public health report: Planning decisions need to be driven by an understanding of what constitutes a healthy environment, according to one of the authors of a new report which emphasises a clear link between the way homes and workplaces are constructed and a range of conditions including obesity, cardiovascular disease and respiratory problems.
Teresa Lavin, public health development officer with the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, said housing schemes, for example, needed to be built in close proximity to shops and services to reduce car dependency, thus encouraging people to walk and reducing rising obesity levels.
She said overcrowding in houses could have a very negative impact on mental health. Humidity and lack of space can affect respiratory health.
Behavioural problems had also been linked with a lack of playing space for children, she added.
Many modern buildings, including workplaces, had conspicuous lifts while staircases were hidden or unappealing, discouraging people from taking exercise by using the stairs, said Ms Lavin.
Her comments came at the launch of a report from the Institute of Public Health in Ireland published yesterday entitled Health Impacts of the Built Environment.
The report is based on a review of international research on the subject and points out that changes in urban design and planning could improve many aspects of people's health, including lowering stress levels.
It says the percentage of the population living in an urban area increased from 32 per cent in 1926 to 60 per cent in 2002 and the average commuting distance for workers is also growing.
"The potential health impacts of urban sprawl have been highlighted and must be addressed," it said. These include obesity, air pollution, road traffic injuries, stress and isolation.
"There is growing recognition that the leading causes of illness and death, including heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, chronic lower respiratory diseases and injuries, may be exacerbated by elements within the built environment which contribute to sedentary lifestyles and harmful environments.
"The evidence suggests that the burden of illness is likely to be greatest in lower socioeconomic groups and minority/vulnerable populations," it added.
The quality of indoor air, it says, can also directly affect health and with children breathing 50 per cent more air per pound of body weight than adults, they are more likely to be adversely affected.
Noise pollution in built-up environments could also prevent people opening their windows and has been linked to increased rates of asthma, Ms Lavin said.
Owen Metcalfe, associate director of the Institute of Public Health, said the report showed there was a need for dialogue and co-operation between public health professionals, planning professionals and policy-makers when it comes to urban planning and design.
"Planning for public health involves much more than curative services - it is about healthy human habitat and supportive social structures.
"We hope that this document will serve as a useful reference and create opportunities for dialogue that will lead to the creation of more sustainable communities, and a healthier society across the island of Ireland," he said.