Activities such as walking or cycling could prevent up to 11% of deaths from cardiovascular disease

Activemobility in cities offers a double benefit: it is a sustainable form of transportation that improves the health of the environment in which we live, while at the same time it is a way to directly improve people's health.

The report "Influencia del medioambiente urbano en la salud de las personas", prepared by the BIOMA Institute within the framework of the Chair Sanitas Salud y Medioambiente of the University of Navarra, analyzes how sustainable forms of mobility have an impact on the health of citizens in these two areas, both directly (on staff health) and indirectly (on the health of the environment). Among the programs of study compiled in the report is information provided by the Spanish Heart Foundation, which quantifies this direct relationship between sustainable and active urban mobility . Thus, it maintains that walking or cycling in daily commuting thanks to the moderate exercise involved could reduce deaths linked to cardiovascular diseases, one of the main causes of mortality in the world, by up to 11%.

In relation to the impact of sustainable mobility on the health of the environment, it is a strategy that reduces air pollution and its effects on health. In this regard, it is worth highlighting the study recently published by the Spanish Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Heart Foundation, in which Sanitas participated. The research has shown, for the first time in Spain, that exhibition to air pollution is associated with an increase in the issue of heart attacks and mortality from this cause during hospital admission. Specifically, it maintains that exhibition to concentrations above 25 micrograms of particulate pollutants per cubic meter increases the risk of death by 14% among people who have been admitted to hospital for a heart attack.

"Incorporating physical activity into daily commuting has a direct impact on the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity and subject 2 diabetes. We are not just talking about a means of transportation, but a preventive public health strategy that financial aid in reducing the incidence of chronic diseases and improving the quality of life of the population," said Dr. Sonia Gutiérrez, vice president of the Sanitas research and Innovation Foundation and one of the authors programs of study both programs of study.

In addition to this evidence, the World Health Organization warns that a sedentary lifestyle is one of the main risk factors for premature mortality. Beyond disease prevention, introducing active routines such as walking to work or school, or cycling, brings additional benefits such as strengthening the immune system, optimizing respiratory capacity, improving sleep quality and contributing to stress reduction.

The positive effects of active mobility allow, therefore, to transform the urban environment, since reducing the use of private cars allows to achieve benefits such as:

→ Reduced air pollution: the reduction of gas emissions and polluting particles results in better air quality, which translates into a reduction of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis or allergies. In addition, cleaner air is especially beneficial for the most vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly or patients with previous health problems, who suffer more intensely from the effects of pollution.

→ Reduction of urban noise: by prioritizing walking and cycling, streets become quieter and more livable. This not only reduces people's stress levels, but also contributes to improved sleep quality and emotional well-being for those living in urban environments.

→ Reducing traffic and road congestion: reducing the issue of cars in circulation makes streets smoother and safer. This not only reduces the probability of accidents, but also facilitates the coexistence between different modes of transport, making travel more agile.

"When we talk about sustainable mobility , we are not only referring to a change in the way we move around, but to a profound transformation of the city," explained Jesús Miguel Santamaría, director of the BIOMA Institute and of the Chair Sanitas Health and Environment at the University of Navarra. "Walking or cycling is good for people's health, but it also promotes cleaner, quieter cities with better-used spaces. These subject of measures help to reduce the environmental footprint, mitigate the effects of climate change and create more livable and equitable urban environments for everyone," he added.