When we think about health, we often focus on personal choices—how much we exercise, what we eat, and our lifestyle habits. But what if our environment plays a bigger role than we realize? In the latest episode of Paul Talks Science, I sit down with Dr. Rumi Chunara, Associate Professor, and Director of the Center for Health Data Science at NYU, to explore how big data, AI, and urban design influence public health in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

Dr. Chunara and her team analyze Google Street View images, machine learning models, and public health data to reveal the surprising ways our cities shape our well-being. Their research shows that factors like sidewalk availability, walkability, and infrastructure directly impact conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Yet, AI-driven urban mapping tools often fail to consider these critical public health aspects, leading to gaps in data and potentially flawed decision-making.

In this episode, we discuss:
🚶 How sidewalks—or the lack of them—affect our health
📊 The hidden biases in AI-driven urban planning
🌍 Why urban design should be a public health priority
🔍 How we can use big data to create healthier cities

Our conversation challenges the traditional blame game in health and highlights the need for structural solutions that promote well-being. Instead of just asking people how often they exercise, we should ask: Where can they exercise?

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

📖 Want to explore this topic further? Check out my article on this research in Harvard Public Health Magazine: Cities, Health, and the Big Data Revolution

What do you think? Is your city helping or hurting your health? Share your thoughts in the comments!