Nuan-Ching Huang1,2, Cordia Chu3, Shiann-Far Kung1,2, Susan C Hu4,5. 1. Healthy Cities Research Center, Research and Services Headquarters, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan, 701, Taiwan. 2. Department of Urban Planning, College of Planning and Design, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan, 701, Taiwan. 3. Centre for Environment and Population Health, School of Medicine, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia. 4. Healthy Cities Research Center, Research and Services Headquarters, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan, 701, Taiwan. shuhu@mail.ncku.edu.tw. 5. Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan, 701, Taiwan. shuhu@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The relationship between built environments and the quality of life (QoL) of the elderly has gained great attention in recent years. However, most QoL studies have been conducted in western countries; thus, limited research was found in Asia, in which the population density, urban forms, narrow roadways, and land use patterns are more compact and highly mixed in terms of use. Therefore, the purpose of this study was an interdisciplinary analysis of two national datasets, the National Land Use Investigation and the National Health Interview Survey, to explore the relationship between built environments and the health-related quality of life of older adults in Taiwan. METHODS: Eight types of built environments at the township level were calculated, and 1222 nationally representative older adults aged 65 and older were recruited. The outcome variable was health-related QoL as measured using the EQ-5D, including utility score and the EQ-VAS. Statistical methods included descriptive analysis, bivariate analysis, and mixed-effects logistic regression analysis, which were conducted using SAS 9.4 software. RESULTS: The results showed that a significant relationship exists between cultural and historical facilities and low EQ-VAS; none of the built environments were found to be related to the EQ-5D. Individual factors are the main determinants of the EQ-5D of older adults in Taiwan. Positive relationships were found if older adults were engaging in physical activities and social participation. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that building a supportive environment in which elderly people could consistently engage in physical activities and social participation is another potential approach that might contribute to active aging.
PURPOSE: The relationship between built environments and the quality of life (QoL) of the elderly has gained great attention in recent years. However, most QoL studies have been conducted in western countries; thus, limited research was found in Asia, in which the population density, urban forms, narrow roadways, and land use patterns are more compact and highly mixed in terms of use. Therefore, the purpose of this study was an interdisciplinary analysis of two national datasets, the National Land Use Investigation and the National Health Interview Survey, to explore the relationship between built environments and the health-related quality of life of older adults in Taiwan. METHODS: Eight types of built environments at the township level were calculated, and 1222 nationally representative older adults aged 65 and older were recruited. The outcome variable was health-related QoL as measured using the EQ-5D, including utility score and the EQ-VAS. Statistical methods included descriptive analysis, bivariate analysis, and mixed-effects logistic regression analysis, which were conducted using SAS 9.4 software. RESULTS: The results showed that a significant relationship exists between cultural and historical facilities and low EQ-VAS; none of the built environments were found to be related to the EQ-5D. Individual factors are the main determinants of the EQ-5D of older adults in Taiwan. Positive relationships were found if older adults were engaging in physical activities and social participation. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that building a supportive environment in which elderly people could consistently engage in physical activities and social participation is another potential approach that might contribute to active aging.
Entities:
Keywords:
Built environments; EQ-5D; Multi-level analysis; Quality of life; The elderly
Authors: Diana C Parra; Luis F Gomez; Olga L Sarmiento; David Buchner; Ross Brownson; Thomas Schimd; Viviola Gomez; Felipe Lobelo Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2010-02-06 Impact factor: 4.634