Opportunities for Improving Public Health Equity & Investing in Clean Transportation
Thursday, June 25, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
Transportations systems across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic need serious work. They are old, broken, congested, polluting, and in need of revenue. These issues not only stifle economic growth, they also aggravate public health risks. We also know higher exposure levels to particulate matter increase risks of asthma and cardiovascular disease among other illnesses.
A recent preliminary study from Harvard University demonstrated the correlation between long-term exposure to particulate matter and increased rates of morbidity from COVID-19. These health risks disproportionately impact communities of color — the same communities that would benefit most significantly from more robust transit systems and less polluting forms of transportation.
One proposed policy to address these challenges is the Transportation and Climate Initiative — a regional effort to reduce vehicle emissions and invest in a clean, modern transportation system. Nearly a dozen states have been working together to design a regional market-based cap-and-invest program to tackle both the environmental and capital needs of our transportation system.
Hear from experts:
Dr. Neelu Tummala
Clinical Assistant Professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine
Matthew Strickler
Secretary of Natural Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia