Where does walkability matter the most? An environmental justice interpretation of New Jersey data

J Urban Health. 2005 Mar;82(1):90-100. doi: 10.1093/jurban/jti011. Epub 2005 Feb 28.

Abstract

Physical inactivity contributes to a growing proportion of premature mortality and morbidity in the United States, and the last decade has been the focus of calls for action. Analysis of 340 residents of New Jersey found that 15%-20% reported multiple problems with using their immediate neighborhoods for physical activity. These respondents were disproportionately African Americans living in neighborhoods that they regard as only of fair or poor quality. Neighborhood walkability is a second-wave environmental justice issue meriting carefully designed research and ameliorative actions in concert with other neighborhood-level redevelopment activities.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data
  • City Planning
  • Environment Design*
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New Jersey
  • Quality of Life
  • Residence Characteristics*
  • Social Justice*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Sports
  • Urban Health* / statistics & numerical data
  • Walking / statistics & numerical data*