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Journal article
Public transit and depression among older adults: using agent-based models to examine plausible impacts of a free bus policy
Journal of epidemiology and community health (1979), v 74(11), pp 875-881
01 Nov 2020
PMID: 32535549
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background Daily transport is associated with mental health. A free bus policy (FBP) may be effective in promoting the use of public transit in older adults and be associated with reductions in depressive symptoms.
Methods We developed an agent-based model and grounded it using empirical data from England to examine the impact of an FBP on public transit use and depression among older adults. We also used the model to explore whether the impact of the FBP bus use and depression is modified by the type of income segregation or by simultaneous efforts to improve attitudes towards the bus, to reduce waiting times or to increase the cost of driving via parking fees or fuel price.
Results Our model suggests that improving attitudes towards the bus (eg, campaigns that promote bus use) could enhance the effect of the FBP, especially for those in proximity to public transit. Reducing wait times could also significantly magnify FPB impacts, especially in those who live in proximity to public transit. Contrary to expectation, neither fuel costs nor parking fees significantly enhanced the impact of the FBP. The impact of improving attitudes towards the bus and increasing bus frequency was more pronounced in the lower-income groups in an income segregation scenario in which destination and public transit are denser in the city centre.
Conclusion Our results suggest that the beneficial mental health effects of an FBP for older adults can be magnified when combined with initiatives that reduce bus waiting times and increased spatial access to transit.
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Details
- Title
- Public transit and depression among older adults: using agent-based models to examine plausible impacts of a free bus policy
- Creators
- Yong Yang - School of Public Health University of MemphisBrent A. Langellier - Drexel UniversityIvana Stankov - Drexel UniversityJonathan Purtle - Drexel UniversityKatherine L. Nelson - Drexel UniversityErica Reinhard - King's College LondonFrank J. Van Lenthe - Erasmus MCAna V. Diez Roux - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Journal of epidemiology and community health (1979), v 74(11), pp 875-881
- Publisher
- Bmj Publishing Group
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- 667661 / European Union; European Commission
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Urban Health Collaborative; Health Management and Policy
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000583705100002
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85092750416
- Other Identifier
- 991019168955004721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health