Study finds lower mortality among public transport users

A recent study has added evidence on the health benefits of public transport, particularly among older people, finding that public transport users were at lower risk of mortality than non-users.

The study authors estimated 34% lower mortality for public transport users compared with non-users, and a 41% lower mortality for those with the highest levels of use.

While the mechanisms behind the associations seen in the study remain unclear, the authors suggest the findings highlight the potential for transport policies to influence population health.

One theory is that public transport use is associated with increased physical activity, as walking to access public transport leads to a potentially important contribution to overall physical activity levels.

See Public transport use and mortality among older adults in England: A cohort study article for further detail.