Why walkable neighbourhoods are vital for healthy ageing
Words by Dr Rhonda Anderson, Fit and Well.
Walking, as simple as it seems, is the backbone of a healthy lifestyle at all stages of our lives and especially as we get older.
It’s common knowledge that our population is ageing. And while many of us can look forward to long lives, ageing populations come with a myriad of challenges. One challenge is the enormous cost of poor health individually, and the cost- burden to society.
Healthy ageing isn’t just financial.
There’s a gap between lifespan and healthspan (how long we live in good health). Globally the difference is about 9.5 years*. We could call this a measure of unhealthy ageing. In Australia it’s 12.1 years, second only to the United States on 12.4 years. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The diseases that contribute to our position on this ladder are mostly preventable.
Living healthier for longer involves behaviours we’re all aware of — staying physically active, eating well, being socially connected, and so on. Physical activity is crucial because, in a nutshell, it reduces our risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, increases strength and endurance, boosts our mental wellbeing, and improves immunity. No drug comes close to doing all of that. Our primary physical activity is and has always been walking, especially as we get older.
‘Blue Zones’ relate to walkable locations
Researchers who study the five ‘Blue Zones’ — i.e the regions of the world where people seem to live longer, healthier lives than elsewhere on the planet — note that one of the standout characteristics of these populations is the amount of regular walking and other low-intensity physical activity they carry out.
As much as we need to keep educating people about the benefits of staying active, we also need governments that are willing to make the structural changes that support us in doing that. This means putting walkability at the heart of urban design and development, and good maintenance of places where we walk. Broken and uneven footpaths, or areas with no footpaths, poor lighting, and kerbs that are hard to negotiate are a deterrent for active neighbourhoods, especially older people.
Good paths reduce falls risks
Falling, or the risk of falling, makes older people afraid. They do less, which increases the risk of falling. Not that the only goal is a network of smooth concrete paths. A movement-rich environment includes a variety of walkable surfaces, as well as shade, seating, and nature in every neighbourhood.
When we make it easy for older people to walk their neighbourhoods we encourage healthy ageing. But we do far more than that. We increase social connection and create the kinds of towns and cities that enrich the lives of all of us.
* ‘This cross-sectional study quantified healthspan-lifespan gaps among 183 World Health Organization member states. Globally, the mean healthspan-lifespan gap was 9.6 years, and women exhibited a mean 2.4-year larger gap than men, associated with a disproportionately larger burden of noncommunicable diseases in women.’
Garmany A, Terzic A. 2024. Global Healthspan. JAMA Network ‘Lifespan Gaps Among 183 World Health Organization Member States’. Accessed July 2025.
Dr Rhonda Anderson
Rhonda is an exercise physiologist and an ex-athlete, with a PhD in midlife and older women’s health behaviour. She has taught diet and exercise subjects in schools, TAFE colleges and universities. She has also been a news and sports presenter for ABC TV and radio, written a weekly sports column for The Australian, and represented Australia as a marathon runner. Rhonda started Fit and Well to provide education and exercise for older women, and to give them choices in how they live the second half of their lives.
“Ageing can be enlivening and satisfying, as long as we’re healthy. And at the core of good health are good habits.”
Age-friendly Communities Matter – Council on the Ageing (COTA-Q)
The results of the COTA-Qld survey shows how much age-friendly communities matter in Queensland.
Age-friendly communities create inclusive, supportive environments where older people can live safely, stay active, and remain socially connected.
By 2050, it’s projected that 25% of Queensland’s population will be aged 65 and over – a significant increase from today. It’s crucial to ensure that infrastructure, services, and policies cater to their needs. Accessible public transport, affordable housing, safe public spaces, and strong community networks help prevent isolation, improve health outcomes, and enhance overall quality of life. By investing in age-friendly communities, Queensland can foster independence, dignity, and participation for older people – benefiting society as a whole.
