Can municipalities positively influence health via active travel? Results from a path model

Abstract

Active travel (walking and cycling) is increasingly being recognised as a potentially effective means of increasing physical activity levels and thereby contribute to physical and mental health. Research related to active travel typically either focuses on the (policy‐related) determinants of active travel or the health effects. As far as the author is aware, no studies have tried to include both in a single empirical model. The goal of this study is to address this gap by developing and estimating a path model including both determinants of active travel and relevant health outcomes. To estimate the model aggregated data are used from Dutch municipalities, 355 in total. The results provide insights as to which built environment and/or infrastructure characteristics municipalities should on, if their aim is to increase health via active travel. In the respect, the model shows that decreasing the (mean) distances to primary schools will sort the most effect. Another policy‐relevant finding is that the built environment also directly impacts health and (mostly) in a negative way; the level of density in particular has a negative effect on several health outcomes. It is important to recognise these effects as they seem to operate in the opposite direction than the positive pathway through active travel.