An Australian newspaper put an interesting perspective on this. In Perth, said the West Australian, people began moving to single-family houses on large lots 100 years ago to avoid infectious diseases. Then when septic tanks appeared, they moved farther apart to avoid contaminated groundwater.

So, basically, we're all afraid of each other.

The irony is that now Australians, like Americans, are battling an obesity epidemic that comes in part from sitting in a comfortable house and driving everywhere.

The new downtown redevelopment project by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds the promise of creating a truly walkable community, combining attractive high-density houses with the things that make walking fun. The Gateway has created this type of neighborhood, too. Salt Lake City has ordinances requiring store fronts to be on the street, with parking behind.

But most of you won't choose to live in these places.

Honestly, you shouldn't feel badly about that. There are lots of reasons why homes with yards are important and not just because of the pending bird-flu pandemic.

Truth is, it's not so hard to understand why you don't walk. It's dangerous and uninviting. The planners in the many suburbs around here have the hard part. They need to figure out ways to design neighborhoods that give you what you want and still lure you outside without your car. Our future health could depend on it.

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Jay Evensen is editor of the Deseret Morning News editorial page. E-mail: even@desnews.com