Americans Are Walking Less Often. Here’s Why That’s a Problem.

A new data analysis is showing that Americans are walking less often than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing their likelihood of experiencing serious health consequences. 

According to a new report from StreetLight Data, a data analytics company, the average amount of daily walking trips taken fell by 36% across the country in 2022 when compared to 2019. Every most-populated metropolitan area and state in the country saw a drop of at least 20% over this period. 

By contrast, in 2022, motor vehicle activity was only 4% below what it was in 2019, suggesting that while Americans are commuting less in general, walking has taken more of a hit than driving. 

Walking activity decreased the least in New Jersey. The biggest drop was recorded in Washington D.C., which recorded a 55% drop in walking. 

The District of Columbia still remained atop the list of states with the highest walking activity, followed by New York, New Jersey and Nevada. Each of these states have notable, walkable, highly trafficked downtown areas, such as the National Mall in D.C., New York City, the area surrounding NYC in New Jersey and the Las Vegas strip in Nevada.

On the other hand, states with the least amount of walking trips were Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee. 

Why Walking Is Good For Your Health

The benefits of walking have been very well documented. One study found that walking at least 4,000 steps daily could reduce the risk of dying from any cause, another found that 20 minutes of exercise that may include walking has a similar benefit. Even short bursts of activity like walking up stairs or to one’s car can cut the risk of a heart attack or a stroke, according to recent research. 

By extension, the risks of a sedentary lifestyle are also well documented. Sedentary behavior is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease — the leading cause of death across the globe, according to the World Health Organization. It estimates that almost 18 million people die every year from cardiovascular disease. 

As such, it’s also the leading cause of death in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one person in the country dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease, and that 695,000 people in the country died from cardiovascular disease in 2021. Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans, and held that dubious title even through the COVID-19 pandemic.