Citation

Michael YL, Green MK, Farquhar SA. Health Place 2006; 12(4): 734-740.

Affiliation

Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, CB 669, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.healthplace.2005.08.002

PMID

16159710

PMCID

PMC3095962

Abstract

This qualitative analysis of focus groups describes how neighborhood design encourages active aging. Nine focus groups were conducted in 2002 and 2003 with residents (N=60) aged 55 and over living in Portland, OR, USA. Content analysis revealed that local shopping and services, traffic and pedestrian infrastructure, neighborhood attractiveness, and public transportation influence activity among older adults. This information will be useful for making policy recommendations relating to land use planning and transportation, to assist in senior-friendly developments and neighborhood improvements, and to design effective senior health interventions with an emphasis on neighborhood design influences.