Activity-friendly neighbourhoods can benefit non-communicable and infectious diseases

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ABSTRACT

Walkable, activity-friendly neighbourhoods are recommended for their benefits for non-communicable diseases, environmental sustainability, and economic performance. But how do activity-friendly neighbourhoods function during infectious disease pandemics like COVID-19? The spread of COVID-19 in some of the world’s dense cities has raised concerns about the risks of urban density and public transit. However, there are several pathways by which dense, mixed-use neighbourhoods with transit access and recreation facilities can reduce the risk of both infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases. Reducing health inequities is a core value for public health, and we comment on strategies for equitably creating activity-friendly communities.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• physical activity
• density

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [DA], upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Deepti Adlakha

Dr. Deepti Adlakha is an interdisciplinary academic with groundings in architecture, urban design, and public health. Her research focuses on environmental, social, and policy determinants for the prevention of chronic diseases. She is a licensed architect, urban designer, and a recipient of the Fulbright Fellowship. Dr. Adlakha is currently leading multiple research projects to promote physical activity and the design of healthy, active built environments in low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Adlakha is a steering committee member of the Low- and Middle-Income Country Council of the International Society for Physical Activity and Health and has served as technical advisor on physical activity and the built environment for public health agencies including the World Health Organization and Belfast Healthy Cities.

James F. Sallis

Dr. James F. Sallis’s primary research interests are promoting physical activity and understanding policy and environmental influences on physical activity, nutrition, and obesity.  He was Director of Active Living Research (2001–2015) that helped establish an interdisciplinary field of research to identify effective environmental and policy strategies to increase physical activity.  He is an author of over 700 scientific publications and one of the world’s most cited authors. He is currently focusing on getting research used to create healthier cities. Dr. Sallis is Past-President of Society of Behavioral Medicine and member of the National Academy of Medicine.