Secondly, a car-centered society is harmful to public health. People drive
everywhere, not just solely due to laziness, but because in many cities the inefficient
planning of communities and inadequate public transportation or cycling infrastructure
forces them into their cars. In turn, people are no longer engaging in simple activities
such as walking or riding a bike as a part of everyday living. This lack of physical
activity is causing many automobile dependent individuals to become overweight and to
suffer from associated health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. The picture
becomes even grimmer when one considers that those that do get outside and walk may
suffer from the poor air quality generated from cars causing respiratory problems such as
asthma.