Good planning is good public health policy. Why do I say this? As a pediatrician, I see first-hand the negative health impacts of sprawl development on our children, whose asthma is worsened by air pollution caused by too much driving. Medical professionals have known that cities designed primarily around driving are responsible for traffic pollution and congestion; contribute to climate change; and limit opportunities for healthy, active lifestyles. Now the Southern California Association of Governments is considering the future of growth in our region, in the context of its “Sustainable Communities Strategy.” I urge local and regional leaders to get involved in this process and actively promote good planning for our region that allows us to grow in smarter and healthier ways.

The most important thing we can do for our health is to reduce our reliance on driving. Cars and other mobile sources are responsible for 75 percent of the damaging air pollution in our region.

In San Bernardino County, ozone and soot continue at epidemic levels. in the American Lung Association 2011 State of the Air Report, San Bernardino County ranked as the most polluted county in the United States for ozone levels with Riverside County close behind. This dirty air harms all San Bernardino County residents, but especially the 111,000 people with asthma, including 40,000 of our children. Asthma is the most common reason for school absence from a chronic illness, and pollution increases the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.

For physicians, there are few needs as urgent as making sure that the air we breathe in Southern California isn’t making us sick and contributing to escalating health care costs. We see too many children suffering from asthma attacks and respiratory illness made worse by poor air quality.

New analysis by the American Lung Association in California confirms the huge clean-air and health benefits of smart growth strategies that reduce driving in Southern California. “Growing Healthy in Southern California” reports that reducing traffic by 20 percent can save more than $16 billion in health and societal costs between now and 2035 and avoid thousands of asthma attacks and respiratory symptoms. This translates into savings of $1 billion in the year 2035 alone. These dramatic health savings are in addition to the benefits we will experience from cleaner vehicle technologies on the road in the next two decades. Based on these findings, communities can rest assured that smart growth measures like expanding transit and other alternatives to driving will show a tremendous payback in health and dollars.

SCAG released its Sustainable Communities Strategy in early December and is seeking public input for a vote in April. This poses an important choice for Southern California leaders and the public.

Will our local leaders vote to achieve the greatest health benefits for our region? If so, they must join with the hundreds of public health professionals who support a new vision for growth in Southern California that will improve the lives of generations to come.

Decision makers should support expanded public transit options; urban design that centers new growth around transit corridors; increased funding and support for “active transportation” including more bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure; and more strategies to reduce diesel pollution from goods movement.

Billions of dollars in health savings can be realized by choosing the strongest possible smart growth strategies. This will have a direct impact on the health of every family who lives and breathes in Southern California.

Southern California needs to break the habit of business-as-usual sprawl and move forward with the strongest possible prescription for healthier communities. Only then can we achieve the goal of cleaner air that will not make our children sick.

Sunil Saini, M.D., an allergy-asthma specialist practicing in the Inland Empire, is associate clinical professor at University of California, Irvine.

Three people have died of influenza infections in Montgomery County in the past two weeks, and county health officials are urging the public to get vaccinated.A 2-year-old Lower Merion boy died Dec. 21, followed by a 32-year-old Upper Merion woman on Christmas Day and a 24-year-old Norristown man on Monday, according to county health department spokeswoman Harriet Morton.Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses, and the flu vaccine remains the most effective way to prevent infection, according to health officials. Individuals with underlying, chronic health conditions are at an increased risk of complications from flu.“The child and the woman had no underlying conditions as far as we know,” Morton said.The vaccine is free to county residents and is available at the health department clinics in Norristown, Pottstown and Willow Grove (See montcopa.org/health and click on the “2011 Flu Clinics” link). The vaccine is recommended for anyone age 6 months or older.“It’s very important to get a flu shot to prevent becoming ill or dying,” Morton said.Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, and often extreme fatigue. Also common are a sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and a runny or stuffy nose.While shots are the best protection, sick people should also cover their mouth when coughing and sneezing so as not to infect others. Those suffering from the flu or are caring for children with the infection should stay at home. as well, frequent hand washing prevents the spread of the disease.In 2009 and 2010, a new and very different flu virus, 2009 H1N1 (so-called “swine flu”), spread worldwide causing the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years, according to the health department.during the current flu season, which doesn’t end until May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expect the 2009 H1N1 virus to cause illness again along with other influenza viruses. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses (an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus).About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against flu virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.The schedule for the county health department’s walk-in flu clinics is as follows:Norristown Health Center, 1430 DeKalb St., in Norristown (610-278-5145). The clinic is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Pottstown Health Center, 364 King Street, Pottstown (610-970-5040). The center is open on Mondays from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m.Willow Grove Eastern Courthouse Annex, 102 York Road, Suite 401, in Willow Grove (215-784-5415) is open Fridays from 9 a.m. till 12 p.m.

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In a warning to residents, health officials Wednesday reported a mysterious doubling in the number of rabies-infected bats found in the county so far this year.

County Department of Public Health officials said the “unusually high number” of rabid bats could pose a threat to people and pets who come into contact with the creatures.

So far this year, 21 rabid bats have been found in the county. by comparison in an average year, about 10 rabid bats are found, officials said.

The reason for the increase was unclear, said Director of Public Health Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding.

“Regardless, it is important that all county residents understand the potential dangers posed to themselves and their pets as most of these rabid bats have been found in and around homes,” he said.

Anyone who sees a sick animals is asked to report it to a local animal control agency.

One person, who was attempting to rehabilitate a sick bat, was bitten by the animal, which then tested positive for rabies. That person was quickly treated for rabies exposure, officials said.

Rabies is a viral illness that affects the central nervous system, leading to brain disease and death, authorities said. Symptoms include fever, weakness, anxiety, confusion, partial paralysis and increased saliva.

Rabies is transmitted through the bite or saliva of an infected animal.

Pets that are bitten by a rabies-infected animal may have to be euthanized or or quarantined for six months, Fielding said.

If bitten by a wild animal, people should contact a doctor immediately.

If a bat is found in a yard or public place, put a box or container over it and call local animal control officials. if a bat is found in a home and may have had access to pets or places where people were sleeping, it should not be released outside. again, cover it with a container and call animal control officials.

If a pet is found with a bat or another wild animal other than rodents, rabbits or squirrels, call 213-989-7060.

For more information, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/rabies.htm.

brian.day@sgvn.com

626-962-8811, ext. 3028