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| Bad public transport access linked to depression |
LIVING near a bus stop or train station could be a good boost for mental health, says a new study.
Quiet streets and open green spaces might be two aspects of your home life that make you feel happier and provide you with peace of mind, but there’s a less obvious factor in where you live that could be reducing your depression risk.
According to the latest research, living in close proximity to public transport may reduce your need to be prescribed anti-depressants.
The study looked at five characteristics which might impact living quality.
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| Living close to public transport reduces risk of being prescribed antidepressants |
These included, development density, land use, public space, cultural and sport facilities and transport access.
Researchers then compared the above to antidepressant medications prescribed between a two year period.
The results showed that good public transport access reduced the risk of depression - especially women and the elderly.
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| Women and the elderly affected most by poor transport links |
Those living in less densely populated areas were also less likely to experience depression.
Researchers also found antidepressant prescriptions increase among those with less education and inactivity.
The study's authors said: "Fewer prescriptions have been given to women and elderly individuals living in areas well-serviced by public transport. Women, who on average live closer to their workplaces, use more public transport (higher number of trips per day) and walk more in comparison to men.
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| Less densely populated areas also reduce depression risk |
"In order to address health inequalities, urban policies should invest in the delivery of services that enhance resilience factors, above all a good public transport network, in a careful and equal manner, throughout the city.”
The study was published International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
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