More than an eyesore? Effects of vacant and demolished housing on physical activity and health

Background: Studies have reported associations between neighborhood aesthetics (well-kept buildings, attractive sights, etc.) and physical activity in neighborhoods. In addition to aesthetics, the presence of vacant and demolished homes in neighborhoods is associated with declines in safety and social cohesion – which can also adversely impact physical activity and associated noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors and outcomes.

Purpose: To examine the association between housing demolition and vacancies with physical inactivity in neighborhoods in Austin, Texas, USA.

Methods: The primary outcome of interest of this GIS analysis was the neighborhood-level prevalence of physical inactivity, assessed via the single-item question of the CDC-PLACES dataset (“in the past 30 days did you participate in any leisure-time physical activity?”). Secondary outcomes included prevalence rates for obesity, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease (CHD), and cancer. Counts of demolished housing and vacancies per neighborhood were calculated. Population-density and income-adjusted linear regressions tested associations between vacant and demolished housing with physical inactivity and NCD-related outcomes.

Results: In 2022-2023, Austin neighborhoods had an average of 119.41±103.02 vacant or demolished homes; and a mean prevalence (%) of physical inactivity of 13.59±10.11. The presence of vacancies was not significantly associated with physical inactivity prevalence in neighborhoods (-0.004±0.005, p=0.42). Demolished housing was not associated with physical inactivity prevalence in neighborhoods (0.03±0.05, p=0.56) but was directly associated with hypertension (0.18±0.07, p=0.01), cancer (0.05±0.01, p<0.001), and CHD (0.03±0.01, p=0.01) prevalence.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that the mechanisms via which demolished housing relates to NCD risk factors and outcomes may not involve physical inactivity as a mediator. However, more research is needed including comprehensive neighborhood-condition and safety assessments, a less coarse measure to estimate physical inactivity prevalence, and longitudinal study designs.

Practical implications: Neighborhood upkeep can be a public health issue with relevance to physical activity promotion and NCD prevention and requires more attention.

Funding: N/A.