AB 441 (Monning): Incorporating health and equity into state guidance

What the Bill Does:
Currently, when the state provides guidance to local and regional government agencies on land use and transportation development, it often overlooks the impact of its decisions on the health of residents in those communities.  
AB 441 would include health and equity criteria in the documents that the state uses to provide guidance on land use and transportation planning and development. The bill would ensure that city, county, and regional governments consider the health implications of planning and development decisions. The following are the documents in which the criteria would be included:  


• Office of Planning and Research (OPR) General Plan Guidelines 
• California Transportation Commission Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Guidelines 
Why We Need This Bill: 

Decisions about land use and transportation systems have enormous influences on health outcomes. 
Research shows that neighborhood and city designs can directly impact rates of health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, depression, unintended injuries, and some cancers. For example, in the study, “Researchers Link Childhood Asthma to Exposure to Traffic-Related Pollution,” USC researchers found that children living in close proximity to a freeway or major thoroughfare are more likely to develop asthma. Although development and implementation of many plans occurs at the local or regional level, the state plays an important advisory role in encouraging health considerations in land use and transportation decisions. By requiring the incorporation of health indicators into comprehensive planning and community design documents and guidelines, California will promote innovative approaches to 
improving our neighborhoods and creating a healthier and more prosperous state. 

Link Between Health and Healthy Environments: 
According to the Institute of Medicine, improving health in the 21st century will require new approaches to environmental health, including strategies to deal with unhealthy buildings, urban congestion, poor housing, poor nutrition, and environmentally-related stress. AB 441 would help promote clean air and water, safe buildings and streets, and healthy public spaces. Transportation decisions can also influence positive health by encouraging walking and bicycling. This bill can help California set a precedent that will build healthy generations. 
Who is the Sponsor of this Legislation: 
The California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN) is sponsoring this legislation. CPEHN works to eliminate health disparities by advocating for public policies and sufficient resources to address the health needs of communities of color. From advocating for culturally and linguistically appropriate care to advancing social and environmental conditions that promote health, CPEHN is at the forefront of improving the health of our communities: www.cpehn.org.  
For more information please contact:
  
Ronald Coleman with CPEHN at rcoleman@cpehn.org, (916) 475-7156 or   
Beth Capell with Capell & Associates at bcapell@jps.net, (916) 497-0760