Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Streetsblog USA

Talking Headways: Richard Jackson on City Environments and Public Health

podcast icon logo
false

How do the places we inhabit lead to systemic public health problems?

On the podcast this week, I discuss this question with Dr. Richard Jackson of UCLA's Fielding School of Public Health. Jackson is the author of three books on the subject of the built environment and public health, and hosted the PBS series Designing Healthy Communities. He has also served as director of the CDC's National Center on Environmental Health and California’s State Health Officer.

Jackson shares his thoughts about the federal silos of housing, transportation, food policy, and health, as well as the under-appreciated issue of indoor air quality. At the CDC, he says, his message that the built environment is responsible for poor health outcomes was so threatening that some members of Congress wanted him fired.

Join us for a wide-ranging discussion that touches on how the internet is affecting kids, migration in Syria, the future of the LA River, the health benefits of trees, and the frustrations of doctors at the “end of the disease pipeline” treating young kids and adults with type 2 diabetes.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

CalBike Extends Deadline to Submit Ideas/Proposals for Panel Discussions at April Summit

One more week to get your ideas in to make the 2026 Bike Summit a memorable one.

November 17, 2025

Monday’s Headlines

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims was Sunday, and Dozens of Cities Worldwide Planned Memorials...

November 17, 2025

Report: Biden Infrastructure Bill Spurred Increase in State and Local Highway Spending

The Urban Institute found an overall increase in capital investment in ground transportation — mostly on highways — and flat investment in public transit.

November 16, 2025

Transportation Politics Is Inherently Radical

And we need to embrace that if we want to win.

November 16, 2025

The Week in Short Videos

High-Speed Rail, an L.A. Metro smart bike locker how-to, and a push for a new pedestrian plaza in L.A.'s Koreatown

November 15, 2025

Advocates React: Sunset Supervisor ‘Recalled’ Again

Beya Alcaraz resigns a week after Mayor Lurie appoints her to fill out the term of former D4 Supervisor Joel Engardio.

November 14, 2025
See all posts