Public Health Interventions : Transport: OP35 The Health Impacts of Free Bus Travel for Young People in London
Author
Edwards, Phil
Steinbach, Rebecca
Green, Judith
Petticrew, Mark
Wilkinson, Paul
Goodman, Anna
Jones, Alasdair
Roberts, Helen
Kelly, Charlotte
Nellthorp, John
Attention
2299/12719
Abstract
Interventions in transport systems have potentially far-reaching impacts on public health, but can be challenging to evaluate. In 2005, young people in London gained access to free bus travel; an intervention that has a number of potential risks and benefits to health. As transport access is linked to well-being, we might expect the policy to benefit the health of young people by reducing transport exclusion. However, health effects might also include: young people doing less walking, thus reducing levels of physical activity, but also reducing exposure to pedestrian injury risk; or being more exposed to assault as they travel further.