Benefits of Traveling Far from Home on General Health

A new British study has shown that travelers to areas far from their homes enjoy better health, and restrictions on movement outside the local area are linked to poorer health. The study focused on Northern England, a region with worse health statistics compared to the South, which has been linked to lower per capita income and limited transportation services outside major urban areas. The research was conducted by scientists at University College London and relied on a survey assessing the impact of travel barriers on health, involving 2,747 residents of Northern England. Travel was defined as moving 24 kilometers away from home. The findings stated, "When the number of places people can go is limited, the lack of social interaction opportunities is directly associated with lower health levels." Additionally, traveling outside an individual's local area may have a direct impact on health quality by allowing access to better healthcare options.