Health implications of transport: Evidence of effects of transport on social interactions

There is growing evidence that aspects of transport influence social exclusion, social capital, social cohesion and social networks. Numerous studies have identified associations between these aspects of social interaction and morbidity and mortality. Community severance - where transport infrastructure or the speed or volume of traffic act as a physical or psychological barrier - impacts on individuals׳ travel, social networks, and the accessibility of goods, services and facilities, and has scope to influence health through a number of routes. With the development of more comprehensive measures, such as of community severance, it is likely that there will be stronger evidence that transport influences health through these pathways.