The built environment can have a significant impact on human health because it can influence people’s levels of physical activity; the safety of travel; the quality of outdoor air; access to jobs and services; and opportunities for social interaction and recreation.
Public health and the environment are closely related. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 23% of the global burden of mortality is due to environmental factors. Likewise, they attribute the same causes to 24% of morbidity.
