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[Announcer] This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC – safer, healthier people.

Sky Scrapers, Highways, and Booming Communities, are all the results and benefits of Urban Sprawl; but, for all of its advantages there is a downside…congestion, pollution, and the expansion of waistlines.

Now, imagine communities where work, shops, schools, libraries, and churches are all within walking distance. These communities are no longer a fairy tale; they’re a reality.

Walkable communities are the wave of the future. Emerging health evidence reveals work/live communities are some of the healthiest places to live.

Why? They promote walking more and driving less. Vehicles contribute about a third of greenhouse gas emissions in this country. Physical activity reduces heart and respiratory disease, cancer and other health risks.

By design, these communities also encourage socialization; therefore, creating a close knit feel.

The future is here and the way communities are designed will not only affect our future, but future generations to come.

[Announcer] For the most accurate health information, visit www.cdc.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO, 24/7.