[Association between neighborhood walkability and mortality due to different causes in Andalusia (Spain)]

Abstract

Objective: To describe the association between the Neighborhood Walkability and mortality.

Method: Ecological study of small areas. The standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and the Walk Score© were calculated in each census tract. These values were compared with parametric and nonparametric tests.

Results: For men, in the case of ischemic diseases, the means of the SMR for the categories with the highest walkability and the least were 1.03 and 0.85 (p <0.01), and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were 1,009 and 1.20 (p <0.01). In women, the means of the SMR for diabetes were 0.97 and 1.2 (p <0.01), for ischemic diseases were 1.01 and 1.12 (p <0.01), for cerebrovascular diseases were 1.007 and 1.18 (p <0.01), for COPD were 1.01 and 1.49 (p <0.01) and for all causes were 1.006 and 1.08 (p <0.01) CONCLUSIONS: Behavior about walking in the activities of daily life is different between sexes. Living in walkable neighborhoods is a protective factor for women.

Keywords: Caminabilidad; Mortalidad; Mortality; Small areas; Walkability; Áreas pequeñas.