A study by Chiba University's Preventive Medical Research Center found that if there is no train station or bus stop within walking distance of their home, the risk of depression among elderly people who do not drive increases by 3 times after three years.
Using data from a large-scale elderly survey conducted by the Japan Gerontological Assessment Research Organization, the research group investigated the relationship between the distance from home to the train station or bus stop as of 25 and the occurrence of depression three years later in 4,974 elderly people (average age 73) without depressive symptoms living in 2016 cities and towns across the country.
As a result, 3 people, or 9.8%, were diagnosed with depression three years later. Among these, in the non-driving group, those who answered "There are no train stations or bus stops within walking distance" were 483 times more likely to become depressed than those who answered "There are." In contrast, in the driving group, no relationship was found between access to train stations or bus stops and depression.
In Japan, the number of passengers on local trains has dropped significantly due to the declining population in rural areas, and 99% of bus operators are in the red, leading to the closure of many train and bus routes. It has been said that elderly people who do not drive and do not have public transportation near their homes are more likely to become depressed due to reduced walking time and social participation, and the results of this study provide numerical support for this.
The research group points out that proximity to public transportation needs to be taken into account when considering measures to combat depression among the elderly.