HOUSTON - The Lone Star State's four largest metro areas are among the nation's 25 most dangerous for pedestrians, according to a recent study. But that could be changing. One of the nation's leading "livable cities" experts says San Antonio, Dallas and Austin are already making strides, and Houston officials are contemplating policies that could make that city a model of mobility for non-drivers.

Dan Burden, who directs the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, is in Houston today to provide encouragement. He says most public streets accommodate only about two-thirds of the people who live near them, something the "Complete Streets" movement is trying to rectify.

"The people who have been traditionally left out include our own children, folks who are older, and then a lot of people in between. About a third of our population do not have access to cars. So it's going to create an equity in our country that is long overdue."

It won't happen immediately, he says. The idea is not to mandate expensive overhauls of every urban roadway, as critics fear, but, rather, to persuade engineers and local officials to simply consider the needs of walkers, cyclists and public-transportation users when designing new roadways or improving existing ones.

Tim Morstad, associate state director for advocacy with AARP Texas, says seniors who no longer drive can feel so trapped in their homes they resort to institutionalized care, sacrificing independence. Complete Streets, he says, can make a difference.

"Where there are sidewalks and crosswalks and blinking yellow lights, and there are accommodations made for people to get around. That could mean years and years of staying in the place where people would rather age, and that's in their own homes."

While Morstad supports Complete Streets policies at the federal, state, and local levels, he says ordinary citizens can play a big role in improving their neighborhoods by participating in "pedestrian safety audits" - community-level inventories of mobility obstacles.

"There may be a senior center on one side of the street, and a bus route on the other side of the street, and there's no crosswalk. A pedestrian safety audit is really a top-to-bottom review of what works and what doesn't work."

He says it can show officials and planners problems - and alternatives - that only a block-by-block analysis can reveal.

The Legislature is expected to consider a Complete Streets measure next session. Houston officials will likely debate new city policies this spring.

Learn more about volunteering at safestreetstexas.org

Walkable and Livable Communities Institute: www.walklive.org. Houston events Tuesday: on.fb.me/wwdTYp. Transportation for America study and city rankings: bit.ly/itlHJ1.




get more stories like this via email

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Eye exams can help determine your risk of dying from COVID, according to experts, because optometrists are often the first medical professionals to notice symptoms of diabetes.

A 2020 study in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology found people with diabetes are more than four times more likely to succumb to COVID than non-diabetics.

Dr. Scott Edmonds, optometrist and chief eye care officer at UnitedHealthcare, said getting treatment for diabetes will improve the odds against COVID.

"A well-controlled diabetic will fare better in the face of COVID infection than someone who is an uncontrolled diabetic," Edmonds explained. "And often that difference between controlled and uncontrolled is seen in the eye exam, as opposed to other tests."

Optometrists will suspect diabetes if a person is obese, or has a family history of diabetes, and if a younger person's prescription changes suddenly, if the patient starts to develop cataracts before age 60, or if small hemorrhages are visible under a microscope.

Edmonds noted if a patient is diagnosed as diabetic or pre-diabetic, the optometrist can recommend they take preventive measures against COVID.

"Then we can have that person take more precautions," Edmonds advised. "Being more careful with their masks, maybe talk them into getting a vaccine if they weren't otherwise inclined because now they're at higher risk."

He added so-called "long-haul" COVID can cause neurological changes that result in double vision, blur and eye strain, especially when someone is sitting in front of a computer screen.

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- In a few weeks, Kentucky lawmakers will convene the General Assembly, and health advocates are calling for new policies to address systemic inequities linked to poor health outcomes.

Vivian Lasley-Bibbs, board chair of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, said the Commonwealth is at the top of the list for cancer-related deaths, smoking rates and depression, and trailing behind on rates of exercise, eating fruits and vegetables, and getting enough sleep.

She pointed out broader factors such as poverty and education are directly tied to residents' health.

"And some of the areas we're looking at include health-care coverage and accessibility, sufficient and equitable school funding, and we're looking at access to quality pre-Kindergarten and child care," Lasley-Bibbs outlined. "Those things are really those predictors of long-term health outcomes."

Lasley-Bibbs pointed to the pandemic as a glaring example of how racial inequities burdened Black and Brown populations with higher rates of COVID-19 exposure, hospitalizations and deaths. She added before the pandemic, Hispanic Kentuckians, who face greater obstacles accessing health care, were at higher risk for diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Lasley-Bibbs emphasized she hopes next year state lawmakers will consider how factors such as genderism, sexism and racism are impacting Kentucky families' long-term health outcomes.

"Those are the true issues that are driving the disparity gap," Lasley-Bibbs asserted. "We need to start thinking about those, instead of just thinking about those risk factors for chronic disease."

She added the state continues to make strides reducing the use of tobacco among residents; a habit linked to heart disease, cancer and premature death.

"We still feel like that's the number one area where I think we've made the greatest improvement so far," Lasley-Bibbs observed. "We know that Kentucky is number one in lung cancer deaths, so that's still one of our priorities."

Data show packs of cigarettes sold in the state are on the decline, more Kentuckians now report they are considering quitting smoking, and about half of Kentucky adults say they believe e-cigarettes are just as harmful as traditional cigarettes.

TUCSON, Ariz. -- With the holiday season beginning and family gatherings planned, Arizona public-health officials have some tips for staying safe.

The rates of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have grown dramatically in Arizona in the past few weeks, but with a few basic precautions, most families can enjoy a get-together at grandma's house.

Paula Mandel, deputy director of the Pima County Health Department in Tucson, said adults who have received their first or second dose of a COVID vaccine should consider getting a booster. And for adults or kids who are unvaccinated, she said there is still time to get a shot.

"When you do this, you're not only protecting yourself," Mandel explained. "You're helping to protect those that you don't know what their vaccination status is and may be high-risk, like young children or our elderly population."

According to data compiled by the New York Times, new cases of COVID-19 in Arizona are up 31%, and hospitalizations up 25%. Statewide, only 54% of Arizonans are fully vaccinated.

Mandel advised bringing any questions you may have about vaccination to your doctor or pharmacist.

Mandel also recommended if you do not know the vaccination status of everyone at a gathering, it is a good idea to wear a mask, wash hands regularly and make sure the house is well-ventilated. She said you might consider taking advantage of Arizona's great fall weather.

"If you're coming together with individuals and they're not people that you see on a routine basis, they don't live in your home or they don't visit your home frequently, maybe consider -- because of our lovely weather that we've had recently -- maybe have your gathering outside," Mandel suggested.

While people are looking forward to seeing friends and family, in some cases for the first time in months, Mandel pointed out using common sense will make for a better holiday gathering. She added the COVID vaccination is not the only one to consider.

"We are heading into flu season," Mandel stressed. "All of those things that we talk about are the same. If you haven't, it's not too late to think about getting vaccinated."

For a comprehensive list of locations providing no-cost vaccines, check with your county health department.