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Pedestrian-oriented zoning is associated with reduced income and poverty disparities in adult active travel to work, United States.

ABSTRACT: Active travel to work can provide additional minutes of daily physical activity. While the literature points to the relationship between zoning, equity and socioeconomic status, and physical activity, no study has quantitatively explored these connections. This study examined whether zoning may help to moderate any income and poverty inequities in active travel and taking public transit to work. Research was conducted between May 2012 and June 2015. Zoning data were compiled for 3914 jurisdictions covering 45.45% of the U.S. population located in 471 of the most populous U.S. counties and 2 consolidated cities located in 48 states and the District of Columbia. (Sensitivity analyses also captured unincorporated areas which, with the municipalities, collectively covered ~72% of the U.S.

Population

) Zoning codes were obtained and evaluated to assess the pedestrian-orientation of the zoning codes. Public transit use, active travel to work, median household income, and poverty data were obtained for all study jurisdictions from the 2010-2014 American Community Survey estimates. Associations were examined through multivariate regression models, controlling for community sociodemographics, clustered on county, with robust standard errors. We found that certain pedestrian-oriented zoning provisions (e.g., crosswalks, bike-pedestrian connectivity, street connectivity, bike lanes, bike parking, and more zoning provisions) were associated with reduced income and/or poverty disparities in rates of public transit use and active travel to work. Findings from this study can help to inform cross-sectoral collaborations between the public health, planning, and transportation fields regarding zoning for pedestrian-orientation and active travel.

SUBMITTER: Chriqui JF

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6457451 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Pedestrian-oriented zoning is associated with reduced income and poverty disparities in adult active travel to work, United States.

Chriqui Jamie F JF Leider Julien J Thrun Emily E Nicholson Lisa M LM Slater Sandy J SJ

Preventive medicine 20161003

Active travel to work can provide additional minutes of daily physical activity. While the literature points to the relationship between zoning, equity and socioeconomic status, and physical activity, no study has quantitatively explored these connections. This study examined whether zoning may help to moderate any income and poverty inequities in active travel and taking public transit to work. Research was conducted between May 2012 and June 2015. Zoning data were compiled for 3914 jurisdictio ...[more]

PMID: 27713102

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Project description:BackgroundCommunities across the United States have been reforming their zoning codes to create pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods with increased street connectivity, mixed use and higher density, open space, transportation infrastructure, and a traditional neighborhood structure. Zoning code reforms include new urbanist zoning such as the SmartCode, form-based codes, transects, transportation and pedestrian-oriented developments, and traditional neighborhood developments.PurposeTo examine the relationship of zoning code reforms and more active living--oriented zoning provisions with adult active travel to work via walking, biking, or by using public transit.MethodsZoning codes effective as of 2010 were compiled for 3,914 municipal-level jurisdictions located in 471 counties and 2 consolidated cities in 48 states and the District of Columbia, and that collectively covered 72.9% of the U.S. population. Zoning codes were evaluated for the presence of code reform zoning and nine pedestrian-oriented zoning provisions (1 = yes): sidewalks, crosswalks, bike-pedestrian connectivity, street connectivity, bike lanes, bike parking, bike-pedestrian trails/paths, mixed-use development, and other walkability/pedestrian orientation. A zoning scale reflected the number of provisions addressed (out of 10). Five continuous outcome measures were constructed using 2010-2014 American Community Survey municipal-level 5-year estimates to assess the percentage of workers: walking, biking, walking or biking, or taking public transit to work OR engaged in any active travel to work. Regression models controlled for municipal-level socioeconomic characteristics and a GIS-constructed walkability scale and were clustered on county with robust standard errors.ResultsAdjusted models indicated that several pedestrian-oriented zoning provisions were statistically associated (p < 0.05 or lower) with increased rates of walking, biking, or engaging in any active travel (walking, biking, or any active travel) to work: code reform zoning, bike parking (street furniture), bike lanes, bike-pedestrian trails/paths, other walkability, mixed-use zoning, and a higher score on the zoning scale. Public transit use was associated with code reform zoning and a number of zoning measures in Southern jurisdictions but not in non-Southern jurisdictions.ConclusionAs jurisdictions revisit their zoning and land use policies, they may want to evaluate the pedestrian-orientation of their zoning codes so that they can plan for pedestrian improvements that will help to encourage active travel to work.

Project description:BackgroundLower income is associated with high incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. CVD is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors. However, there is limited research on the association between income, CVD, and mortality in this population.MethodsThis study utilized nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a cross-sectional survey evaluating the health and nutritional status of the US population. Our study included NHANES participants aged ≥20 years from 2003-2014, who self-reported a history of cancer. We evaluated the association between income level, prevalence of CVD, and all-cause mortality. All-cause mortality data was obtained through public use mortality files. Income level was assessed by poverty-income ratio (PIR) that was calculated by dividing family (or individual) income by poverty guideline. We used multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models through a backward elimination method to evaluate associations between PIR, CVD, and all-cause mortality in cancer survivors.ResultsThis cohort included 2,464 cancer survivors with a mean age of 62 (42% male) years. Compared with individuals with a higher PIR tertiles, those in the lowest PIR tertile had a higher rate of pre-existing CVD and post-acquired CVD. In participants with post-acquired CVD, the lowest PIR tertile had over two-fold increased risk mortality (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.27-3.71) when compared to the highest PIR tertile. Additionally, we found that PIR was as strong a predictor of mortality in cancer survivors as CVD. In patients with no CVD, the lowest PIR tertile continued to have almost a two-fold increased risk of mortality (HR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.69-4.35) when compared to a reference of the highest PIR tertile.ConclusionsIn this large national study of cancer survivors, low PIR is associated with a higher prevalence of CVD. Low PIR is also associated with an increased risk of mortality in cancer survivors, showing a comparable impact to that of pre-existing and post-acquired CVD. Urgent public health resources are needed to further study and improve screening and access to care in this high-risk population.

Project description:BackgroundAutomobile exhaust contains precursors to ozone and fine particulate matter (PM ≤ 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter; PM2.5), posing health risks. Dependency on car commuting also reduces physical fitness opportunities.ObjectiveIn this study we sought to quantify benefits from reducing automobile usage for short urban and suburban trips.MethodsWe simulated census-tract level changes in hourly pollutant concentrations from the elimination of automobile round trips ≤ 8 km in 11 metropolitan areas in the upper midwestern United States using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model. Next, we estimated annual changes in health outcomes and monetary costs expected from pollution changes using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Benefits Mapping Analysis Program (BenMAP). In addition, we used the World Health Organization Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT) to calculate benefits of increased physical activity if 50% of short trips were made by bicycle.ResultsWe estimate that, by eliminating these short automobile trips, annual average urban PM2.5 would decline by 0.1 µg/m3 and that summer ozone (O3) would increase slightly in cities but decline regionally, resulting in net health benefits of $4.94 billion/year [95% confidence interval (CI): $0.2 billion, $13.5 billion), with 25% of PM2.5 and most O3 benefits to populations outside metropolitan areas. Across the study region of approximately 31.3 million people and 37,000 total square miles, mortality would decline by approximately 1,295 deaths/year (95% CI: 912, 1,636) because of improved air quality and increased exercise. Making 50% of short trips by bicycle would yield savings of approximately $3.8 billion/year from avoided mortality and reduced health care costs (95% CI: $2.7 billion, $5.0 billion]. We estimate that the combined benefits of improved air quality and physical fitness would exceed $8 billion/year.ConclusionOur findings suggest that significant health and economic benefits are possible if bicycling replaces short car trips. Less dependence on automobiles in urban areas would also improve health in downwind rural settings.

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Pedestrian-oriented zoning is associated with reduced income and poverty disparities in adult active travel to work, United States.

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Pedestrian-oriented zoning is associated with reduced income and poverty disparities in adult active travel to work, United States.

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