Destinations matter: The association between where older adults live and their travel behavior

Publication date: Available online 11 October 2014 Source:Journal of Transport & Health Author(s): Anna M. Chudyk , Meghan Winters , Md Moniruzzaman , Maureen C. Ashe , Joanie Sims Gould , Heather McKay The positive effect of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases and age-related disabilities, such as mobility-disability, are widely accepted. Mobility is broadly defined as the ability of individuals to move themselves within community environments. These two concepts – physical activity and mobility – are closely linked and together contribute to older adults living healthy, independent lives. Neighborhood destinations may encourage mobility, as older adults typically leave their homes to travel to specific destinations. Thus, neighborhoods with a high prevalence of destinations may provide older adults an attractive opportunity to walk, instead of drive, and thereby obtain incidental physical activity. We know surprisingly little about the specific types of destinations older adults deem relevant and even less about destinations that support the mobility of older adults with low income. Accessible neighborhood destinations may be especially important to older adults with low income as they are more likely to walk as a primary travel mode. Conversely, this population may also be at increased risk of functional impairments that negatively affect their ability to walk. As a means to fill this information gap we aimed to ...
Source: Journal of Transport and Health - Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research