Suburban sprawl and physical and mental health.
OBJECTIVE
To study the association between objective measures of suburban sprawl and chronic medical conditions and mental health disorders in the USA.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of survey data merged with objective measures of suburban sprawl. Outcomes are self-reported medical conditions, mental health disorders and health-related quality of life.


RESULTS
Sprawl significantly predicts chronic medical conditions and health-related quality of life, but not mental health disorders. An increase in sprawl from one standard deviation less to one standard deviation more than average implies 96 more chronic medical problems per 1000 residents, which is approximately similar to an aging of the population of 4 years.


CONCLUSIONS
A robust association between sprawl and physical (but not mental) health suggests that suburban design may be an important new avenue for health promotion and disease prevention.
Sturm
R
R
RAND, 1700 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA. roland_sturm@rand.org
Cohen
D A
DA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011156:Population Density; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D018881:Suburban Health; D014481:United States