Living in a ‘walkable’ environment may be the key to longevity

A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that living in a ‘walkable’ environment may be the key to longevity. Based on Washington State mortality data, scientists and researchers from Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine found that where you live has a significant impact on whether you will reach 100.

The study found that neighbourhood ‘walk ability’ along with higher socioeconomic status, sex, race and mixed age diversity were all factors linked with reaching centenarian status. The data used was from almost 145,000 people from Washington who died aged 75 or older between 2011 and 2015. The study found that race and sex were also important factors with minority race individuals much less likely to reach 100 (scientists from the study note that this once again highlights the importance of addressing health disparities among minorities) and women were also found to be more likely to reach 100 than men.