Park proximity, housing characteristics, and self-reported health among older adults in China

Abstract

This study investigates the association between park proximity and self-reported health among older adults in China, with particular attention to the moderating effects of housing characteristics. Drawing on large-scale individual survey data and 2015 park point-of-interest (POI) data, the analysis shows that closer proximity to formally designated public parks is significantly associated with better self-reported health among older adults. The study further explores whether housing features moderate this association. High-rise housing appears to weaken the positive association between park proximity and health, while newly constructed housing strengthens it, suggesting that built environment conditions shape how older adults benefit from nearby parks. Heterogeneity analyses reveal that the health association is stronger among younger older adults (those under age 70), among men, and among urban residents, highlighting the role of mobility, behavior patterns, and infrastructural context. These findings underscore the importance of considering spatial and residential contexts in understanding health disparities in aging populations and offer implications for promoting inclusive and age-friendly urban design.