Socioeconomic and demographic differences in walking and cycling in the Netherlands: How do these translate into differences in health benefits?

Walking and cycling are effective means to increase people's daily physical activity. Since little is
known about how differences in walking and cycling translate into inequalities in health benefits
on the population level, this study quantified these health benefits for demographic and socioeconomic
groups in the Netherlands. Population-representative data on walking and cycling
among adults (aged 20–90 years) for the period 2010–2014 were analyzed with the Health
Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT). Results showed pronounced differences between subgroups,
with women, senior citizens (50–79 years), higher socioeconomic groups, and native-Dutch
people walking and cycling more than others. Given the relatively high mortality rates and high
levels of walking and cycling among senior citizens, it was found that a large number of deaths
were prevented in that age group. In lower socioeconomic groups, despite their lower walking
and cycling levels, it was found that even more deaths were prevented, given their large population
size and higher mortality rates. The proportion of health benefits was found to be greater
among the native Dutch because their walking and cycling levels as well as their population size
were higher than among non-native groups. The study suggests that policies to increase walking
and cycling among lower socioeconomic groups could induce further health benefits in the aggregate
and thus help mitigate socioeconomic health inequalities.