Commute mode diversity and public health: A multivariate analysis of 148 US cities
Urban sprawl has a negative relationship with regional health outcomes, such as high obesity and chronic diseases related to physical inactivity. At the same time, literature has shown that walkable built environments are connected to lower obesity rates and increased physical activity. Less understood is the association of modal diversity with those health outcomes. This research studies a range of public health outcomes to determine their associations with commute mode diversity. Researchers adapted the methodology of urban sociologists Harvey Molotch and Richard Appelbaum to explore twelve different health measures in 148 US counties and their metropolitan statistical areas. The test measure is the percentage of commuters who use some means other than a single-occupant vehicle (SOV). The percentage of such commuters ranges from as low as 11% in Houston County, Alabama to as high as 36% in Honolulu County, Hawaii. Using bivariate and multivariate analyses, the authors found better health outcomes in counties and metropolitan areas that have fewer workers commuting by SOV. These findings underscore the positive impact of sustainable transportation policies on community health and open up a new direction for public health research and the built environment.
- Record URL:
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/15568318
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Supplemental Notes:
- Abstract reprinted with permission of Taylor & Francis.
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Authors:
- Frederick, Chad
- Riggs, William
- Gilderbloom, John Hans
- Publication Date: 2018-1
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Web
- Features: References;
- Pagination: pp 1-11
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Serial:
- International Journal of Sustainable Transportation
- Volume: 12
- Issue Number: 1
- Publisher: Taylor & Francis
- ISSN: 1556-8318
- EISSN: 1556-8334
- Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ujst20
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Automobile travel; Cities; Commuting; Mode choice; Multivariate analysis; Public health; Single occupant vehicles; Sustainable transportation; Urban transportation; Urban transportation policy
- Uncontrolled Terms: Automobile dependency
- Geographic Terms: United States
- Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Policy; Society;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01651240
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Nov 20 2017 5:09PM