This study investigates the relationship between living environment, specifically Walk Score, and vascular health among the elderly in Ogimi Village, Okinawa, Japan. Unlike previous studies linking Walk Score with physical activity and health which has low average income yet notable longevity, affect health differently. The study focuses on vascular health indicators: pulse wave velocity and the ankle-brachial index (ABI) among residents stratified by Walk Score, a measure of walkability. Using a cross-sectional design, the study analyzed twenty individuals aged eighty-five and older, part of a larger cohort study begun in 2016. It examined the distribution of vascular health outcomes within clusters formed based on Walk Score, utilizing cluster analysis to assess differences in health indicators among groups. The findings suggested that while Walk Score could influence health behaviors and outcomes, its impact on vascular health in this population was not significant. This discrepancy might be due to the unique social and environmental context of Ogimi Village, including its mountainous terrain and social capital, which could foster health literacy and behaviors not captured by Walk Score. The study concluded that while Walk Score provides a useful measure of walkability, its relationship with health outcomes, particularly vascular health, may vary based on local context. It highlights the importance of considering community-specific factors in assessing the impact of the living environment on health. Further research is needed to explore how social and environmental factors contribute to longevity and health in unique settings like Ogimi Village.
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons [Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International] license.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
