Our sprawling cities and suburbs are shaping us—but not always as we might hope.

The third edition of the Cascadia Scorecard examines the connections between urban design and health risks such as car crashes, obesity, and physical inactivity. It also identifies ways we can create communities that favor health by making it easier for people to get out of their cars and get more connected.

See the 2006 maps of neighborhood walkability. Go here to see the real-time costs of car crashes, human and economic, add up.

The Cascadia Scorecard is a regional gauge of progress that tracks key trends shaping the future of the region. The 2006 Scorecard reports on:

• Sprawl & Health: Car-centered urban design in the Northwest is contributing to a high death and injury toll from car crashes; and a high obesity rate, among other ills.

• Wildlife: The new wildlife indicator suggests the region needs to better protect key species including orcas, wolves, and caribou.
• Economy: The Northwest states saw small improvements, but stagnated compared to the US as a whole.
  
• Energy: Possibly due to high prices, gas consumption fell one percent, a small but welcome change.
  
• Pollution: The banned chemical PCB showed up in the bodies of every woman tested by Sightline.
  
• Population: The region continued to shift toward smaller families and fewer teen pregnancies.

The Scorecard highlights steps toward a region where people are healthier, more satisfied with their lives, and surrounded by thriving nature.