A Healthier Distance? Spatial Proximity to Everyday Amenities and Self‐Rated Health among Older Adults in the Northern Netherlands

This study investigates the association between the proximity of home to various everyday life amenities and self‐rated health (SRH) among 7,226 older adults who participated in the Lifelines health survey. Our results show that SRH was significantly higher for participants living farther from groce...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tijdschrift voor economische en sociale geografie
Main Authors: Sattari, Zeinab, Vogt, Tobias, Meijering, Louise, Weitkamp, Gerd
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: 17.07.2025
ISSN:0040-747X, 1467-9663
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:This study investigates the association between the proximity of home to various everyday life amenities and self‐rated health (SRH) among 7,226 older adults who participated in the Lifelines health survey. Our results show that SRH was significantly higher for participants living farther from grocery shops and closer to healthcare places. We also found that not being female, living alone, having a paid job, having a high level of education (especially in less urban areas) and higher income levels were significantly associated with higher SRH. In conclusion, while proximity to amenities is important for healthy ageing in place, the association between the two is not always positive. Additionally, spatial policies need to pay special attention to the needs of more vulnerable and deprived older groups.
ISSN:0040-747X
1467-9663
DOI:10.1111/tesg.70020