Scientific Meeting 2023 - Lightning Talks Day 1

Monday, March 13
11:40am to 12:30pm

Presenter: Andrew Kaczynski

Association between Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Neighborhood Walkability Across the United States

Kaczynski, Andrew; Hallum, Shirelle; Wende, Marilyn; Stowe, Ellen; Davis, Kara; Chupak, Anna

Purpose: Poor access to walking supports can exacerbate disparities in physical activity and chronic disease. Little research has explored the association between socioeconomic disadvantage (SED) and neighborhood walkability at a national scale. This study examined the relationship between neighborhood SED and walkability across the United States, including variations by region and state.

Methods: SED was calculated for all block groups in the US (n=215,791) using 2018 five-year estimates from the American Community Survey. Four key variables – percent unemployed, percent of population under 125% of the federal poverty threshold, percent less than high school education, and percent renter occupied housing – were normalized and summed to create a composite score. Walkability was measured using the EPA’s National Walkability Index (NWI), which scores block groups from 1-20 (lowest-highest) and includes key indicators for intersection density, proximity to transit, and land-use diversity. Mixed-model linear regression analyzed the relationship between block group SED and NWI, controlling for state-level nesting and block group population density. Similar analyses were performed stratifying by nine census divisions and all 51 states (including DC).

Results: Across all US block groups, there was a positive relationship between SED and NWI (B=0.10,p<.001), such that areas with higher SED possessed greater walkability. A similar relationship was observed in 7 of 9 census divisions (excluding South Atlantic and Mountain; range for all divisions B=-0.13-0.16; M=0.064, s.d.=0.055) and 21 of 51 states (range for all states B=-0.13-0.24; M=0.039, s.d.=0.081). Choropleth maps will illustrate regional and state-level variations in the association between SED and walkability.

Conclusion: These findings aid in identifying specific regions, states, and block groups where infrastructure improvements should be targeted to address environmental justice, pedestrian safety, and chronic disease. Future research should also examine micro-scale attributes of walkability (e.g., sidewalk quality, neighborhood aesthetics) to ensure equitable, safe, and attractive environments for all.