Area-level socio-economic disparities in active and sedentary transport: Investigating the role of population density in Australia
Section snippets
Background
Health inequalities are a chronic societal problem without simple solutions. Physical inactivity is considered as a key modifiable risk factor that contributes to socio-economic inequalities in health (Eikemo et al., 2014, Hammig et al., 2014, Hosseinpoor et al., 2012, Kamphuis et al., 2008). What matters in this context is not only who you are (individual socio-economic status) but also where you live (area-level socio-economic status) (Macintyre et al., 2002). It is well-documented that lower
Study design and settings
We utilised household travel survey data from two discrete areas of Australia. Household travel surveys, which primarily aim to inform the development of transport modelling and transport-related decision-making, provide detailed information about residents’ travel behaviours. We used the 2009 South East Queensland Travel Survey (SEQTS) and the 2009 Victorian Integrated Survey of Travel and Activity (VISTA). The SEQTS and VISTA were administered by the same consultancy agency using similar
Results
The total number of eligible participants was 35,283 (SEQTS: 13,878; VISTA: 21,405). The number of participating households was 19,042, recruited from 3393 SA1s. Those who did not make any trip on the survey day (n=7478) were excluded from the sample. The number of such participants was larger in lower SES areas (Lowest: 2184; Second: 1835; Third: 1809; and Highest: 1650). Compared to those retained in the sample, non-travellers were less likely to be working (82% of travellers vs 64% of
Discussion
We examined whether the associations of area-level SES with active and sedentary transport behaviours are modified by population density. We found socio-economic gradients in travel behaviours: participants living in higher SES areas were more likely to walk, use public transport, and travel by car than those in lower SES areas. The socio-economic disparity in active transport observed (i.e., higher levels of walking and public transport use in higher SES areas) is consistent with some previous
Conclusion
This study found that population density may play a role in moderating the associations of active and sedentary transport with area-level SES. Our findings show that residents of low-SES, high-density areas are particularly at risk of being physically inactive for daily travel. Given that travel behaviours tend to be habitual, preventive actions may be needed to promote active transport and to reduce the risk of chronic diseases for this sub-group. Such actions, which can include enhancing
Conflict of interest statement
None to report.
Acknoledgements
The study was conducted as an activity of CEPA Transport Working Group. CEPA (Council on Environment and Physical Activity) is one of the five councils of the International Society of Physical Activity and Health. The authors would like to thank the Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Victoria Government Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources for providing the SEQTS and VISTA data used in this study. This research did not receive any
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