CDC: More adults walking for transportation, leisure

An estimated 65% of women and 63% of men reported walking for transportation or leisure in 2015, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s up from 57% and 54%, respectively, in 2005. Walking, which like other physical activity can reduce chronic diseases and premature death, was least prevalent among black adults and people with less education. “Focused approaches to overcome barriers to walking in low socio-economic status and minority communities, such as policies and practices that improve the safety and quality of community supports for physical activity (e.g. trails and sidewalks), might help reduce the observed disparities in walking,” the authors said. The report is based on data from the National Health Interview Survey.