Lockdowns reveal inequities in opportunities for walking activities
July 19, 2021MIT
Lockdowns saved lives during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. But as much as they have slowed the spread of Covid-19, there have been some unintended consequences.
New MIT research shows that lockdowns in 10 metropolitan areas throughout the United States led to a marked reduction in walking. These decreases were mostly seen among residents living in lower-income areas of the city, effectively reducing access to physical activity for minorities and people suffering from illnesses such as obesity and diabetes.
“Walking is the cheapest, most accessible physical exercise that you can do,” says Esteban Moro, visiting research scientist in the MIT Connection Science Group and senior author on the
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Caption: Workers can transition from one job to another one that requires similar skills. This defines a network between occupations where job matching occurs and shows a clear structure by sectors. In some cities that network is very connected (Burlington, Vermont) and there are many possibilities for a worker to find another job. In other cities (Bloomington, Indiana) the network is sparser. Network connectivity determines how resilient a city’s labor market is to unemployment shocks. Credits: Image: Esteban Moro
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