KEY POINTS:
Wind chill at bus stops is being blamed for a spike in deaths during winter.
Research in Britain has shown badly designed shelters and unreliable, infrequent public transport services are a "menace" to the health of older people, Chris Harris from North Shore City Council said today.
Dr Harris, a passenger transport planner, says councils have to take the lowly bus stop seriously.
He told the Public Health Association Conference that in Britain wind chill at bus stops had been identified as a key determinant of winter ill health and mortality.
The spike in deaths that occurs in winter, of about one thousand deaths above average for other months, was similar to the rate in the UK.
Cutting cold in New Zealand had focused on indoor issues and poorly insulated homes, but it was time to look at outdoors too, Dr Harris said.
Councils needed to build more well-enclosed bus shelters.
"Apart from the public health benefits of better shelter at our bus stops, the other improvements will play their part in encouraging people to use public transport, lowering CO2 emissions and increasing walking,' Dr Harris said.
- NZPA
