REDUCING CHRONIC DISEASE THROUGH TRANSPORTATION AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN HIGH CRIME COUNTRIES: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

Trinidad and Tobago has the third highest diabetes deaths, the highest rates of kidney failure in the world and is listed as one of the top countries where citizens have a fear of crime. There is a large body of research that has proven that there is an association between physical activity, fear of crime, health outcomes and built environment. However, most scientific research around urban design, physical activity, planning and transportation have been conducted in developed countries. There have been few studies in developing countries, particularly Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean, which are facing both high crime and chronic disease. To evaluate the literature on physical activity, chronic disease and the built environment, we conducted a review of the literature through a systematic search and also analysed research gaps and implications. Future studies should develop a multidisciplinary research on physical activity, fear of crime, transportation and the interactive effects of the built environment that can help improve chronic disease health outcomes. Future studies should also better understand the social and environmental influences of barriers to physical activity in Trinidad and Tobago.