The interaction effect between physical and cultural leisure activities on the subsequent decline of instrumental ADL: the Fujiwara-kyo study.

BACKGROUND: Maintenance of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and social role (SR) is crucial to keep independent life because the decline in SR and IADL was a significant predictor of dependence in basic ADL in later. The independent effect of physical and cultural leisure activities and their effect modification on the IADL remains unknown. METHODS: We prospectively observed 3241 elderly with intact IADL at baseline for 5 years. Higher level functional capacity such as IADL and SR was assessed using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of competence (TMIG index). RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 72.3 years (standard deviation 5.1), and 46.9% were male, and 90.9% of them received a follow-up assessment. Of the participants, 10.4% developed an IADL decline. Engagement in leisure physical activity was associated with a significantly lower risk of IADL decline (adjusted risk ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60 to 0.89), and cultural leisure activity was also associated with lower risk of IADL decline (adjusted risk ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.95) independent of potential confounders. We also found significant and positive interaction between physical and cultural leisure activities at risk for IADL decline (P = 0.024) and SR decline (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: We found an independent association of physical and cultural leisure activities with a lower risk for functional decline in IADL and SR with positive interaction. Combined engagement in physical and cultural activities may effectively prevent from IADL decline and SR decline.

Typology of Nightclubs in São Paulo, Brazil: Alcohol and Illegal Drug Consumption, Sexual Behavior and Violence in the Venues.

BACKGROUND: Nightclubs are venues in which excessive alcohol use and illegal drug consumption occur in addition to other high-risk behaviors, such as violence and sexual risk behaviors. Environmental factors common in nightclubs and the personal characteristics of patrons might increase the risk of these events. To better understand the relationship between these factors, typologies were formulated that clustered nightclubs according to definite profiles to identify differences to be taken into consideration in preventive interventions. OBJECTIVES: The present study aim was to construct a typology of nightclubs in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This typology was constructed using mixed methods research through the triangulation of several data sources as follows: 307 hours of ethnographic observation at 31 nightclubs, 8 focus group sessions with nightclub patrons (n = 34) and 30 semi-structured interviews with nightclub employees. Content analysis and qualitative typology were used. RESULTS: Four nightclub types were defined based on four analyzed thematic axes (Intoxicating, Violent, Dancing and Highly Sexualized nightclubs). Excessive alcohol use was detected in almost all of the investigated nightclubs, and drug use was observed in approximately one-third of them. Triangulation of the data revealed a relationship among environmental factors (especially alcohol sales strategies and promotion and the availability of areas for sex) and a more considerable presence of high-risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that nightclubs are settings in which high-risk behaviors are potentiated by facilitating environmental factors as well as by the lack of laws restricting excessive alcohol use stimulated by the promotion strategies applied at these venues.

Ethnic and Gender Differences in Preferred Activities among Maori and non-Maori of Advanced age in New Zealand.

This study explored active aging for older Maori and non-Maori by examining their self-nominated important everyday activities. The project formed part of the first wave of a longitudinal cohort study of aging well in New Zealand. Maori aged 80 to 90 and non-Maori aged 85 were recruited. Of the 937 participants enrolled, 649 answered an open question about their three most important activities. Responses were coded under the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), Activities and Participation domains. Data were analyzed by ethnicity and gender for first in importance, and all important activities. Activity preferences for Maori featured gardening, reading, walking, cleaning the home, organized religious activities, sports, extended family relationships, and watching television. Gendered differences were evident with walking and fitness being of primary importance for Maori men, and gardening for Maori women. Somewhat similar, activity preferences for non-Maori featured gardening, reading, and sports. Again, gendered differences showed for non-Maori, with sports being of first importance to men, and reading to women. Factor analysis was used to examine the latent structural fit with the ICF and whether it differed for Maori and non-Maori. For Maori, leisure and household activities, spiritual activities and interpersonal interactions, and communicating with others and doing domestic activities were revealed as underlying structure; compared to self-care, sleep and singing, leisure and work, and domestic activities and learning for non-Maori. These findings reveal fundamental ethnic divergences in preferences for active aging with implications for enabling participation, support provision and community design.

Neighborhood environment and physical activity among older adults: do the relationships differ by driving status?

Some attributes of neighborhood environments are associated with physical activity among older adults. This study examined whether the associations were moderated by driving status. Older adults from neighborhoods differing in walkability and income completed written surveys and wore accelerometers (N = 880, mean age = 75 years, 56% women). Neighborhood environments were measured by geographic information systems and validated questionnaires. Driving status was defined on the basis of a driver's license, car ownership, and feeling comfortable to drive. Outcome variables included accelerometer-based physical activity and self-reported transport and leisure walking. Multilevel generalized linear regression was used. There was no significant Neighborhood Attribute × Driving Status interaction with objective physical activity or reported transport walking. For leisure walking, almost all environmental attributes were positive and significant among driving older adults but not among nondriving older adults (five significant interactions at p < .05). The findings suggest that driving status is likely to moderate the association between neighborhood environments and older adults' leisure walking.

Association between physical activity and risk of stroke subtypes: the atherosclerosis risk in communities study.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between stroke subtypes and physical activity is unclear. METHODS: Using data from 13,069 men and women aged 45-64 years who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, physical activity was assessed by self-report using the Baecke questionnaire at baseline (1987-1989). The American Heart Association's ideal cardiovascular health guidelines served as a basis for the calculation of three physical activity categories: poor, intermediate, and ideal. Stroke and its subtypes were ascertained from physician review of medical records. Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox regression models. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 18.8 years, a total of 648 incident ischemic strokes occurred. Significant inverse associations were found between physical activity categories and total, total ischemic, and nonlacunar stroke in adjusted models (age, sex, race-center, education, cigarette-years). Compared with poor physical activity, the adjusted HR (95% CI) for ideal physical activity were 0.78 (0.62-0.97) for total, 0.76 (0.59-0.96) for total ischemic, 0.85 (0.51-1.40) for lacunar, 0.77 (0.47-1.27) for cardioembolic, and 0.71 (0.51-0.99) for nonlacunar stroke. Additional adjustments for waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, diabetes, left ventricular hypertrophy and laboratory parameters attenuated the HR. Further sex- and race-specific analyses revealed that the association was predominantly observed among males and among African-Americans. CONCLUSION: These data suggest a tendency toward a reduced risk of total, total ischemic, and nonlacunar stroke with higher levels of physical activity.

Patterns and determinants of leisure participation of youth and adults with developmental disabilities.

BACKGROUND: People with developmental disabilities are at high risk for a limited participation in leisure activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the participation in, preference for and interest in leisure activities of young and adults with developmental disabilities, and to examine the factors associated with leisure activity. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used with a convenience sample of 237 people aged 17 to 65, living in the community. Leisure participation was assessed with the Spanish version of Leisure Assessment Inventory. Percentages were calculated by types of activity, and repeated measures anovas were used to analyse the differences between types of activities, and mixed anovas to analyse the factors that explain differences in leisure activity participation, preference and interest. RESULTS: Leisure social activities and recreation activities at home were mostly solitary and passive in nature and were identified as those being most commonly engaged in. Respondents expressed preference for more social and physical activity, and they were interested in trying out a large number of physical activities. Age and type of schooling determine participation in leisure activity. The results underscore the differences in leisure activity participation, preference and interest depending on the severity of the disability. CONCLUSIONS: The findings reveal interesting patterns of participation in leisure activities from the viewpoint of youngsters and adults with developmental disabilities. Leisure participation among people with developmental disabilities is likely to be more affected by environmental factors than by personal factors.

Changes in leisure-time physical activity and subsequent sickness absence: a prospective cohort study among middle-aged employees.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine how changes over time in leisure-time physical activity are associated with subsequent sickness absence. METHODS: Helsinki Health Study cohort baseline questionnaire survey data were collected in 2000-2002 among 40-60-year-old employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland. A follow-up survey was conducted in 2007. 4182 (83% women) respondents were available for the analyses. Leisure-time physical activity was asked using identical questions in both surveys. Sickness absence data were derived from the employer's registers (mean follow-up time 2.8 years). Associations of changes over time in leisure-time physical activity with self-certified (≤ 3 days) and medically certified (>3 days) sickness absence spells were examined, using Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: Inactive women and men who increased their physical activity to vigorously active had a significantly lower risk of both self-certified (RR=0.80, 95% CI 0.65-0.97) and medically certified (RR=0.63, 95% CI 0.49-0.83) subsequent sickness absence spells compared with the persistently inactive. The persistently active with vigorous intensity had the lowest risk of sickness absence. Adjusting for changes in physical health functioning attenuated but did not abolish the lowered risk found. CONCLUSIONS: For reducing sickness absence more emphasis should be given to the potential contribution of vigorous physical activity.

The burden of physical activity on type 2 diabetes public healthcare expenditures among adults: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Determinants of public healthcare expenditures in type 2 diabetics are not well investigated in developing nations and, therefore, it is not clear if higher physical activity decreases healthcare costs. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between physical activity and the expenditures in public healthcare on type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out in Brazil. A total of 121 type 2 diabetics attended to in two Basic Healthcare Units were evaluated. Public healthcare expenditures in the last year were estimated using a specific standard table. Also evaluated were: socio-demographic variables; chronological age; exogenous insulin use; smoking habits; fasting glucose test; diabetic neuropathy and anthropometric measures. Habitual physical activity was assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS: Age (r = 0.20; p = 0.023), body mass index (r = 0.33; p = 0.001) and waist-to-hip ratio (r = 0.20; p = 0.025) were positively related to expenditures on medication for the treatment of diseases other than diabetes. Insulin use was associated with increased expenditures. Higher physical activity was associated with lower expenditure, provided medication for treatment of diseases other than diabetes (OR = 0.19; p = 0.007) and medical consultations (OR = 0.26; p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 diabetics with higher enrollment in physical activity presented consistently lower healthcare expenditures for the public healthcare system.

Disability and Patterns of Leisure Participation Across the Life Course.

OBJECTIVES: Patterns of healthy leisure are dependent upon age, but people with disabilities are particularly susceptible to passive and disengaged types of activities. This study evaluates how individuals with disabilities spend their time in passive, active, social, and isolated forms of leisure over the life course, and how these patterns vary by age. METHOD: I analyze nationally representative data from 70,165 respondents ages 15 and older in the 2008, 2010, and 2012-2016 American Time Use Survey. Linear regression models estimate the association between disability and leisure time, net of self-rated health and sociodemographic controls. Interactions between age and disability are also evaluated, as well as the robustness of results by sensory, cognitive, physical, and multiple disability status. RESULTS: People with disabilities report significantly more, and poorer quality, leisure than people without disabilities. This includes more than 2 hr more time in passive leisure as well as a disproportionate amount of isolated leisure spent at home, alone. These differences are not fully explained by health and sociodemographic controls. The isolated leisure time of people with disabilities is most different from people without disabilities in later life-whereas differences in total and passive leisure time, by disability status, are greatest in midlife. DISCUSSION: People with disabilities spend less time in health-promoting forms of leisure at all ages, but these patterns are unique across midlife and older age.

The Impact of Late-Life Disability Spectrum on Depressive Symptoms: A Fixed-Effects Analysis of Panel Data.

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the impact of a previously validated disability spectrum that accounts for compensatory strategies on depressive symptoms in older adults. METHODS: This study was a secondary data analysis of 2011 through 2018 surveys from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (N = 7,609). The disability spectrum was categorized using a 5-level hierarchical scheme: fully able, successful accommodation, reduced activity, difficulty, and assistance for 12 mobility, self-care, and household activities. The individual fixed-effects panel model was used to examine the impact of this disability spectrum on depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms rose progressively with each successive category on the disability spectrum in descriptive analyses. In fixed-effects models, moving from "fully able" to "successful accommodation" was not associated with significant changes in depressive symptoms; this result held for all self-care and mobility activities. Moving from "fully able" to "reduced activity" was associated with a significant increase in depressive symptoms for 3 household activities (doing laundry, making hot meals, and shopping for groceries) but not for paying bills/banking or keeping track of medications. Going up 2 or more stages above "fully able" on the disability spectrum was associated with a significant increase in depressive symptoms across all 12 activities. DISCUSSION: While limitations in a range of daily activities have harmful effects on mental health, using compensatory strategies that do not erode one's perception of autonomy can help older adults cope with the psychological detriments of late-life disability.

Signs of altered psychomotor capacity and use of alcohol and other drugs among nightclub patrons who drive in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

Objectives: To investigate the occurrence of signs of altered psychomotor capacity (SAPC) associated with the violation of the dry law at the exits of nightclubs in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.Methods: Data from drivers participating in the Balada com Ciência project were used. Alcohol dosages were measured with breathalyzer test. The use of other drugs was obtained by interviewees' self-report. SAPC (speech, walking, glazed eyes, and alcohol odor) were verified by the interviewers at the time of the interview and categorized as "no sign" or "at least one sign". All measurements were evaluated at the exit of the nightclubs. The population description considered the sample weighting. Logistic regression analysis evaluated the association between the occurrence of SAPC, alcohol and other drugs use, controlling for sociodemographic variables.Results: At nightclubs, the SAPC among drivers are about 8 times higher when the breath alcohol concentration is above 0.05 mg/L if compared with those who did not drink alcohol, and about 30 times higher when the alcohol concentration was ≥ 0.34 mg/L in exhaled air. This finding is not generally verified in the literature for those who report the use of drugs inside nightclubs, which is interesting, since 20.4% of the interviewed population reported using drugs in the places surveyed.Conclusion: This study suggests the potential of using the Perham (2007) physical test for alcohol intoxication in sobriety checkpoints at the exit of nightclubs. However, the verification of these signs is not enough for the identification of drug use by drivers.

Injury prevention counseling for adults: have we made progress?

Injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Physicians are a trusted source that can disseminate information about the prevention of injury and violence. This study used the second Injury Control and Risk Survey to report the national prevalence of healthcare provider injury prevention counseling to adults. Results indicate that overall 1 in 5 adults who visited a healthcare provider received some counseling on injury prevention. Counseling prevalence varied by injury topic and patient demographic characteristics. Many people who could benefit from counseling are not receiving it, even among those who had visited a healthcare provider.

SCIRehab Project series: the therapeutic recreation taxonomy.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Outcomes research of therapeutic recreation (TR) activities and interventions for spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation is made more difficult by a lack of uniform descriptions and the absence of a formal treatments classification system (taxonomy). The objective of this study was to describe a taxonomy developed by Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. METHODS: TR lead clinicians and researchers from 6 SCI rehabilitation centers developed a TR documentation system to describe the details of each TR session involving patients with SCI enrolled in the SCIRehab study. The SCIRehab study uses the practice-based evidence methodology, a rigorous observational methodology that examines current practice without introducing additional treatments, to capture details of each TR session for 1,500 SCI rehabilitation patients at 6 US inpatient SCI rehabilitation facilities. This may be the first attempt to document the many details of the TR rehabilitation process for patients with SCI. RESULTS: The TR taxonomy consists of 6 activities (eg, leisure education and counseling, outings, and leisure skill work in center) and activity-specific interventions, as well as time spent on each activity. Activity descriptions are enhanced with additional details that focus on assistance needs for each activity, patient ability to direct care, and patient/family involvement, which may help to determine TR activity selection. CONCLUSION: Development and application of a TR taxonomy, which is comprehensive for patients with SCI and efficient to use, are feasible despite significantly different TR programs at the 6 SCIRehab centers.

Reclassified cognitive leisure activity and risk of cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults aged ≥80 years: A 16-year prospective cohort study.

AIM: There is accumulating evidence that participation in cognitive leisure activities might be related to a reduced risk of cognitive impairment. However, there is no consensus regarding the classification of cognitive leisure activities, and it cannot clearly define each activity and quantitatively evaluate the effect of it. In the present study, we propose a new classification method, and examine the relationship between reclassified cognitive leisure activities and cognitive function. METHODS: The analysis included 4830 participants of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, who were aged >80 years and free of cognitive impairment at 1998. They were followed up six times. Six cognitive leisure activities were mainly grouped into intrapersonal and interpersonal cognitive leisure activity by categorical principal component analysis. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between reclassified cognitive leisure activities and the risk of cognitive impairment. RESULTS: After a median follow-up period of 16 years, 1763 participants suffered from cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination score <24). Reading newspapers or books, taking part in some social activities and sometimes playing cards or mahjong were associated with a decreased risk of cognitive impairment (P < 0.05 for all). In multivariable adjusted models, compared with those with lower intensities, the hazard ratios (95% confident intervals) of cognitive impairment were 0.86 (0.74-0.99) and 0.71 (0.60-0.83) for participants with high intensities of intrapersonal and interpersonal cognitive leisure activity, respectively. CONCLUSION: A high frequency of participation in intrapersonal and interpersonal cognitive leisure activities showed a lower risk of cognitive impairment among the oldest-old in China. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 1041-1047.

Limitation of the use of voice in teaching and leisure-time physical activity: Educatel Study, Brazil, 2015/2016. / Limitação do uso da voz na docência e a prática de atividade física no lazer: Estudo Educatel, Brasil, 2015/2016.

The study sought to identify the prevalence of voice-related problems teaching basic education teachers and to analyze their association with the practice of physical activity. We used data from a phone survey of a representative sample (n = 6,510) of Educatel Study carried out between October 2015 and March 2016. The main data of this study were self-referred voice-related problems teaching, leisure-time physical activity (defined according to its intensity, duration and frequency) and potential confounding variables. The data was analyzed using Poisson regression models with robust variance. Around one fifth of teachers (20.5%) reported having had voice-related problems teaching, while approximately one third reported sufficient leisure-time physical activity (≥ 150 minutes/week) (37.8%). Both recommended physical activity volume and five or more days of physical activity per week (regardless of total volume) were inversely associated with voice-related problems teaching, both in bivariate models and in models adjusted for confounding variables (sex, age and working hours). Basic Education teachers have a high prevalence of voice-related problems teaching. Sufficient leisure-time physical activity and exercising five or more days a week are potential protective factors for reducing this problem.

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar a prevalência de problemas na docência por causa da voz entre os professores da educação básica, e analisar sua associação com a prática de atividade física. Foram utilizados dados de inquérito por entrevista telefônica junto à amostra representativa (n = 6.510) de professores do Estudo Educatel, entre outubro de 2015 e março de 2016. As informações de interesse central deste estudo compreendem o relato do professor de problemas na docência por causa da voz, a prática de atividade física no lazer (definida por sua intensidade, duração e frequência) e potenciais variáveis de confundimento. A análise dos dados foi estudada por meio de modelos de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. Cerca de um quinto dos professores (20,5%) relatou problemas na docência por causa da voz, enquanto aproximadamente um terço relatou a prática de atividade física suficiente no lazer (≥ 150 minutos/semana) (37,8%). Tanto a prática de volume recomendado de atividade física quanto a prática de atividade física em cinco ou mais dias por semana (independentemente do volume total) estiveram associadas de forma inversa a problemas na docência por causa da voz, tanto em modelos bivariados quanto naqueles ajustados por variáveis de confundimento (sexo, idade e jornada de trabalho). Professores da Educação Básica apresentam alta prevalência de problemas na docência por causa da voz. A prática suficiente de atividade física no lazer e a prática semanal por cinco ou mais dias despontam como fatores potenciais de proteção para a redução da prevalência deste problema.

El objetivo del estudio fue identificar la prevalencia de problemas en la docencia, debidos a la voz, entre profesores de educación básica y analizar su asociación con la práctica de actividad física. Se utilizaron datos de una encuesta por entrevista telefónica, junto a una muestra representativa (n = 6.510) de profesores de Estudio Educatel, entre octubre de 2015 y marzo de 2016. La información con mayor interés de este estudio incluye el relato de docentes con problemas en su profesión, debidos a la voz, la práctica de actividad física durante el tiempo de ocio (definida por su intensidad, duración y frecuencia) y las potenciales variables de confusión. El análisis de los datos se estudió mediante modelos de regresión de Poisson con variancia robusta. Cerca de un quinto de los profesores (20,5%) informó de problemas en la docencia, debidos a la voz, mientras aproximadamente un tercio informo sobre la práctica de actividad física suficiente durante el tiempo de ocio (≥ 150 minutos/semana) (37,8%). Tanto la práctica del volumen recomendado de actividad física, como la práctica de actividad física durante cinco o más días por semana (independiente del volumen total), se asociaron de forma inversa a problemas en la docencia debidos a la voz, tanto en modelos bivariados, como en aquellos ajustados por variables de confusión (sexo, edad y jornada de trabajo). Los profesores de Educación Básica presentan una alta prevalencia de problemas en la docencia debidos a la voz. La práctica suficiente de actividad física durante el ocio y la práctica semanal durante cinco o más días despuntan como factores potenciales de protección para la reducción de la prevalencia de este problema.

Participation and enjoyment of leisure activities in school-aged children with cerebral palsy.

The objective of this study was to characterize participation in leisure activities in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and identify determinants of greater involvement. Ninety-five children of school age (9y 7mo [SD 2y 1mo]) with CP were recruited, and participation was evaluated with the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment in a subset (67/95; 42 males, 25 females) who could actively participate in completion of the assessment. Most had mild motor dysfunction (Gross Motor Function Classification System: 59% level I, 23% level II, 18% levels III-V) and had a spastic subtype of CP (23 hemiplegia, 17 diplegia, 16 quadriplegia, 11 other). Biomedical, child, family and environmental predictor variables were considered in the analysis. Results demonstrated that these children were actively involved in a wide range of leisure activities and experienced a high level of enjoyment. However, involvement was lower in skill-based and active physical activities as well as community-based activities. Mastery motivation and involvement in rehabilitation services enhanced involvement (intensity and diversity) in particular leisure activities, whereas cognitive and behavioral difficulties, activity limitations, and parental stress were obstacles to participation.

Right leisure: serious, casual, or project-based?

Leisure as a tool for rehabilitating people with neuro-disabilities is well established. Yet, despite significant progress in this area, problems remain in the way leisure is used for this purpose. One, as yet, unresolved problem is how to determine which leisure activity or activities will be attractive to people with particular disabilities. Another is how to counteract the persistent, dominant public view that real personal worth is measured according to the work people do rather than the leisure they pursue. The third is to inform practitioners, many of whom are unaware of recent advances in leisure theory, about these advances, which can help them solve the first problem and adapt to the second. The main body of this paper presents such a theory - the serious leisure perspective. It synthesizes three main forms of leisure, showing, at once, their distinctive features, similarities, and interrelationships. The forms are serious, casual, and project-based leisure. A review of the research on neuro-rehabilitation follows. Some implications of the Perspective for neuro-rehabilitation are then presented, including ways practitioners can introduce clients to certain types of leisure, encourage them to pursue the types chosen, and help them develop an optimal leisure lifestyle.

Diversity of indoor activities and economic development of neighborhoods.

Over the last few decades, public life has taken center stage in urban studies, but that is about to change. At times, indoor activities have been shown to matter more than what is publicly visible (they have been found to be more predictive of future crimes, for example). Until recently, however, data has not been available to study indoor activities at city scale. To that end, we propose a new methodology that relies on tagging information of geo-referenced pictures and unfolds in three main steps. First, we collected and classified a comprehensive set of activity-related words, creating the first dictionary of urban activities. Second, for both London and New York City, we collected geo-referenced Flickr tags and matched them with the words in the dictionary. This step produced both a systematic classification (our activity-related words were best classified in eleven categories) and two city-wide indoor activity maps which, when compared to open data of public amenities and sensory maps of smell and sound matched theoretical expectations. Third, we studied, for the first time, activities happening indoor in relation to neighborhood socio-economic conditions. We found the very same result for both London and New York City. In deprived areas, people focused on any of the activity types (leading to specialization), and it did not matter on which one they did so. By contrast, in well-to-do areas, people engaged not in one type of activity but in a variety of them (leading to diversification).

Are variations in rates of attending cultural activities associated with population health in the United States?

BACKGROUND: Population studies conducted in Sweden have revealed an association between attendance at cultural activities and health. Using data from US residents, we examined whether the association could be observed in the US. METHODS: Participants in the current study included 1,244 individuals who participated in the 1998 General Social Survey. RESULTS: A significant association between cultural activities and self-reported health (SRH) was observed, even after controlling for age, gender, marital status, race, number of children, subjective social class, employment status, household income, and educational attainment. Specifically, the more cultural activities people reported attending, the better was their SRH. CONCLUSION: The data confirm that an association between cultural activity and health is present in a US sample. The data do not mean that the association is causal, but they suggest that further longitudinal research is warranted.