Evidence Matters

Does Regular Brisk Walking Reduce Mortality Risk in Low-Income, Predominantly Black Populations?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Liu et al. (American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 2025) investigated the effects of factors like walking pace on mortality, including in low-income and Black populations

Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study
- Data from Southern Community Cohort Study (please see ‘Learn More – Primary Sources’ on details regarding this study)
- 12 southeaster US states | Recruitment mostly from community health centers
- Between 2002 and 2009
- Predominantly low-income and Black (approximately 70%)
Participants
- Adults
- 40 to 79 years
Exposures
- Walking pace and duration
- Demographic info
- Lifestyle factors
Primary outcome
- Mortality

85,000 adults
- Median follow-up: 16.7 years
- Deaths: 26,862
There was a significant link between daily fast walking for as little as 15 minutes a day and lower all-cause mortality
- Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.81 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.87)
Daily slow walking of even >3 hours was only associated with a modest reduction in risk
- HR 0.96 (95% CI, 0.91 to 1.00)
Fast walking was associated with reduced mortality, independent of leisure-time physical activity levels
The inverse association was more pronounced for mortality due to cardiovascular diseases than cancers
While all groups benefitted from fast walking, participants with baseline comorbidities showed larger risk reductions compared to generally healthy participants

Even 15 minutes of fast walking daily was associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality in a diverse population and can be effective in reducing health disparities