The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59788

Yvonne Michael, ScD and Grazia Cunningham. Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health and Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, CB 669, Portland, OR 97239-3098, 503-494-9071, michaely@ohsu.edu

Physical activity is essential for maintaining overall wellness and independence throughout life. Research suggests that seniors are particularly vulnerable to obstacles in their built-environment as they attempt to remain active. Despite the growing interest on this topic, few studies have attempted to rigorously assess the built-environment in a methodical and quantitative way. Therefore, it is unclear as to what specific features of the built-environment have an effect, if any, on physical activity among seniors. To address this gap, we developed an audit instrument to comprehensively assess the built-environment, with special attention to characteristics relevant to the senior population. In this paper, we describe the process of instrument development using important concepts identified in public health and urban planning literature, as well as from expert input and focus groups with seniors. The resulting Senior Walking Environmental Assessment Tool (known as SWEAT) included collection of quantitative as well as qualitative data and was piloted in ten neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon. We will also describe results of the assessment of reliability for the instrument. Finally, we will discuss implications for healthy aging through community design based on the findings from our pilot study. Use of an objective measure of built-environment will provide support and may suggest a mechanism for prior studies that found an association between the environment and general health or well-being in the senior population. These data were collected as part of a research project funded by the National Institute of Aging and the Borchard Foundation Center on Law and Aging.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• List important aspects of the built-environment related to physical activity in seniors.
• Evaluate the usefulness of the Senior Walking Environmental Assessment Tool (known as SWEAT.
• Develop a health promotion plan for healthy aging through community design.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Aging

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.