This new report 
from the EPA explores how the built environment affects the natural environment and human health. It reviews hundred of studies published since 2001 (when EPA first did such a technical review) that track the interactions between land use, transportation, and environmental quality.
Key human health findings include:
- Nearly 90 percent of studies reviewed found a positive association (Ferdinand et al. 2012) between the built environment and inactivity, suggesting that it is one of the factors that play a role in how much people exercise and levels of obesity.
- Communities with streets designed for the safety of all users can encourage walking and biking and help people lead healthier lifestyles (Giles et al. 2011).