St. Louis, MO (AHN) – A study of residential areas in St. Louis uncovers some startling results about healthcare and the elderly.

Middle-aged and older African-Americans who live in rundown neighborhoods with poor air and street quality are three times more likely to develop difficulties walking, standing, or lifting than those in cleaner, better-maintained areas. 

Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis published their findings in the recent issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology. 

Mario Schootman, Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Health Behavior Research says, "Our study shows that it's not just who you are or what you do, but where you live that affects your well-being. It also suggests that the effort to revitalize inner-city neighborhoods can have the added benefit of improving the health of individuals living there." 

The study is a continuation of an original study that investigated the factors responsible for the excessive health related issues late middle-aged and older African-Americans living in St. Louis suffered from. Unfortunately it revealed a high level of disability risk among the group.