Older People's Perceptions of Pedestrian Friendliness and Traffic Safety: An Experiment Using Computer-Simulated Walking Environments

Community Assets for Health Model and Assessment Scale: A Delphi-Based Analysis and Expert Validation

The salutogenesis theory of Aaron Antonovsky and the Health Assets Model of Morgan and Ziglio have given rise to a notable interest in defining the resources available to individuals and the community to maintain or improve their health and well-being. The present study began by identifying the universal dimensions of Community Assets for Health, and then analyzed and validated an assessment scale following the Delphi method. A high degree of consensus was achieved among 13 experts from different disciplines. The results of the content analysis and statistical analysis led to a reconfiguring of an instrument that is so far unique in its approach. It is composed of 103 items across 14 dimensions (utility, intention, previous use, affordability, proximity, walkability, connectivity, intelligibility, identity, design, safety, diversity, public dimension, and sustainability).

Dimensions of Community Assets for Health. A Systematised Review and Meta-Synthesis

Since Aaron Antonovsky’s salutogenesis theory and Morgan and Ziglio’s health assets model were first proposed, there has been a growing concern to define the resources available to the individual and the community to maintain or improve health and well-being. The aim of the present study was to identify the dimensions that characterise community assets for health. To this end, we conducted a systematised review with a meta-synthesis and content analysis of research or projects involving asset mapping in the community. Articles that met our eligibility criteria were: (1) based on the salutogenic approach and (2) described an assets mapping process and among their results, explained what, how and why particular community assets for health had been selected. The search included primary studies in the published and grey literature which were selected from websites and electronic databases (Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, EBSCOhost, Dialnet, SciELO). Of the 607 records examined by a single reviewer, 34 were included in the content analysis and 14 in the qualitative synthesis. Using an inductive process, we identified 14 dimensions with 24 categories, for which in-depth literature reviews were then carried out to define specific indicators and items. These dimensions were: utility, intention, previous use, accessibility (“circumstances–opportunity–affordability”), proximity-walkability, connectivity, intelligibility (visibility, transparency), identity (uniqueness, appropriability, attachment), design (configuration, functionality, comfort), safety (objective/subjective), diversity, the dimension of public and private, and sustainability (which includes maintenance, profitability or economic sustainability, environmental sustainability, centrality-participation and equity-inclusiveness).

Walking for Transport among Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Role of the Built Environment in Less Densely Populated Areas in Northern Germany

In the last decades, there has been rising interest in public health research in the importance of the built environment for a healthy and active life in old age, but little attention has been paid to less densely populated areas. This study aimed to explore the impact of the built environment on walking for transport in the context of an older population living in communities of <100,000 inhabitants. Within the project AFOOT–Securing urban mobility of an aging population, a cross-sectional postal survey was carried out from May to September 2019 in older adults (≥65 years) in the Metropolitan Region Northwest, Germany. Self-reported data from 2189 study participants were analyzed. Logistic and linear regression models were used to examine the associations between the built environment and walking for transport. Any walking and frequent walking were positively associated with nearly all built environment attributes, even after adjustment for demographic and health covariates. The amount of walking in minutes per week was associated only with residential density. Moderating effects of gender, age, and use of walking aids were identified. Improving the built environment appears to be a promising opportunity to motivate and enable older adults to walk for transport.

Association of Built Environments With Frequency of Going Outdoors Among Older Community-Dwelling Adults in Japan

Built environmental factors are important for encouraging outdoor activity among community-dwelling older adults. A total of 214 participants aged 59-94 years were recruited from local cities in Japan. A mixed-effects multivariate linear regression model was conducted for the analysis. Parks that are easy to get to and car availability were positively associated with the number of days per week with any outdoor exposure. Further, the ability to conduct activities of daily living had a significant effect on the use of safe parks and walking areas and the number of days per week with outdoor time. The findings suggest that subjectively assessed neighborhood-built environments, such as readily available safe parks, walking areas, and car availability, are important for encouraging outdoor activity among older community-dwelling adults in Japan. For those with a limited ability to conduct daily activities, the safeness of parks and walking areas are most important.