Walkability and self-rated health in primary care patients.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived walkability and overall self-rated health among patients who use community-based clinics.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was distributed to a convenience sample in three community clinics. Forms were completed by 793 clinic patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis was to control for the effects of demographic variables and lifestyles.


RESULTS
Perceiving the availability of places to walk was related to better self-rated health. The most important places were work (OR = 3.2), community center (OR = 3.12), park (OR = 2.45) and day care (OR = 2.05). Respondents who said they had zero (OR = .27) or one (OR = .49) place to walk were significantly less healthy than persons who said they had five or more places to walk.


CONCLUSIONS
Persons who perceived that they had no place to walk were significantly less healthy than persons who thought they had at least one place to walk (OR = .39). Support for walkable neighborhoods and education of patients about options for walking may be in the best interests of community medicine patients.
Rohrer
James
J
Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, USA. james.rohrer@ttuhsc.edu <james.rohrer@ttuhsc.edu>
Pierce
J R
JR
Denison
Anne
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011998:Recreation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data