Working to

make everyday life healthy,

by design.

We all know the statistics. The United States spends $5 trillion on health care each year - and 80% of it passes through private and government insurance into patient care, hospitals, and prescription drugs. This is the disease business, and it is a staggering monument to misplaced priorities and reactive inefficiencies.

Jarrett Walker describes the history and the reasons behind why we, in the US, have let transit survive – but never thrive – over the years and makes the case for why we should support it. From our perspective, looking at the environmental contexts that shape health, public transit is really important. The benefits include greater physical activity and less obesity, more social interaction, and access to groceries and needed health and social services for its riders, and less pollution for all.

Among the iconic phrases that best evoke the spirit of America - “Just Do It," “I’m Luvin’ It” - “Freedom of Choice” is surely up there.

In just three words, Freedom of Choice expresses the ideals of American liberty, where individuals are empowered to forge their own path. 

The idea dates back to the early years of the republic, when Alexis de Touqueville noted that American individualism was a new and powerful force that might rival the common good of democracy. But the phrase really took off in the consumer age, in the bountiful days after World War II.