Improving Air Quality in Vulnerable Communities:
A Recap of the AARP Community Challenge Grant
HEAL Utah is excited to be part of the AARP Community Challenge Grant, which supports our goal of building healthy, equitable, and livable communities in Utah. The Community Challenge Grant, which is part of AARP’s nationwide Liveable Communities Initiative, provides an opportunity to advance environmental justice and public health by expanding access to sustainable transportation. Through data collection, community engagement, and direct action, we have made important strides in achieving our goal of ensuring that Utahns of all ages have access to energy efficient transportation, safe and walkable streets, and clean air to breathe.
About the AARP Community Challenge
How we get from place to place is one of the foundations of a thriving community. Yet many older adults and under-resourced neighborhoods face barriers to accessing safe, walkable streets and sustainable transportation options. To fix this, we need to ensure that the voices and experiences of our community members are being considered in city and transit planning and advocate for policies that support the ability of everyone to travel safely within their communities by walking, cycling, or using public transit. The AARP Community Challenge Grant helped us do just that, as we continue to work toward a healthier environment where everyone can access public and active transit and enjoy the benefits of clean air.
Furthermore, we know that transportation significantly impacts air quality in Utah. For many communities—especially those historically marginalized or lacking resources—pollution from vehicle emissions disproportionately impacts health outcomes and the environment. When we inhale microscopic particles from pollution, they penetrate deep inside the lungs and can create a number of reactions and inflammation. Older adults are at increased risk of harm, as they are more likely to be living with chronic illnesses that may be made worse by exposure to air pollution such as:
Our AARP project addresses these health inequities by promoting the use of active and public transportation and raising the voices of our most impacted residents to ensure their experiences are part of transportation planning in Utah.
Addressing the Needs of Utah’s Aging Population through Transportation & Clean Air
While Utah might have a reputation of being a young state, our population is steadily growing older. Between 2010 and 2020, the state’s 65 and older population grew by 53%—nearly three times faster than Utah’s overall population, which grew by 18%. This demographic shift presents us with new opportunities and challenges to ensure equitable access to green spaces, public and active transportation, and safe, healthy, and livable communities.
All Utahns should have access to affordable mobility and transportation options. As our population ages, it is essential that we provide transportation options that sustain connectivity and the physical and emotional health of older adults. With this grant, HEAL gathered information from community members that would ensure government agencies establish and promote transportation and mobility resources and policies that address the needs of every Utahn at every age. Furthermore, we built resources to be used long after our AARP project ends, like walk audit kits that support communities interested in developing and implementing your own transportation and mobility studies that are unique to your neighborhood’s needs. Walk audits are an important tool to assess the walkability and safety of an area, and are particularly valuable for older adults as it can help identify and address issues that impact their ability to safely and comfortably navigate their communities.
Air quality also impacts the health and mobility of aging populations, which is why we used the Community Challenge Grant to address the intertwined issues of transportation and pollution. According to the American Lung Association’s 2023 State of the Air Report, Utah has some of the worst air quality in the nation. “As this year’s report makes clear, there is much work to be done in Utah and across the country to improve our air quality,” said Nick Torres, advocacy director for the Lung Association. “Even one poor air quality day is one too many for our residents at highest risk, such as children, older adults, those who are pregnant and those living with chronic disease.” Residents of Utah know we are at risk, that’s why HEAL is calling on lawmakers to take action by responding to the data we’ve collected for this grant project and ensuring that everyone has clean air to breathe.
Addressing air quality and transportation inequities ensures healthier outcomes and greater independence for Utah’s aging population, while also supporting cleaner, more sustainable communities for all.
Key Results & Actions
- Week Without Driving: 66 participants took part in our challenge to navigate daily life without using a personal vehicle. We promoted the event digitally to encourage widespread participation and gather insights into alternative transportation experiences.
- Community Events & Outreach: We hosted multiple engagement activities, including events with UTA, churches, and senior centers, that were specifically focused on alternative transportation options and their impact on air quality and mobility.
- Transportation Day on the Hill: We organized a dedicated day at the Utah State Capitol to highlight the importance of transportation policy, engage with lawmakers, and advocate for sustainable and equitable transit solutions.
- Walk Audit Toolkit: We developed a comprehensive Walk Audit Toolkit to encourage residents and decision-makers to assess their communities’ walkability and advocate for improvements.
- Giveaways & Incentives: To encourage participation in alternative transportation, we provided giveaways related to biking, walking, and public transit use.
- Driving Positive Policy: Our grassroots and community-based efforts translated into legislative victories during the 2025 legislative session, where key transportation bills were passed. These policies supported infrastructure improvements, increased funding for public transit, and enhanced pedestrian and cyclist safety measures. These measures, combined with the nearly $5B appropriated for multimodal transportation over the past five years, will build on that investment to improve the quality of life for all Utahns.
A Path to Cleaner Air
Looking ahead, we are committed to:
- Implementing data-driven solutions to improve walkability and reduce vehicle emissions.
- Advocating for policy changes that prioritize active and public transportation.
- Expanding our community engagement efforts to ensure that all voices are heard in the transportation planning process.
To learn more about our participation in the AARP Community Grant Challenge, visit our website at https://www.healutah.org/aarp/. And don’t forget to sign up for email updates on ways to get involved in upcoming events and actions.
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Discover how HEAL Utah is making a difference and join us in our mission by exploring our work page today!