Walking and Mortality in Older Men

To the Editor: Hakim et al. (Jan. 8 issue) 1 reported an association between regular walking and lower overall long-term mortality in retired nonsmoking men. The observed reduction in mortality was significant for cancer deaths but not for cardiovascular deaths. The lack of benefit in reducing cardiovascular mortality conflicts with previous studies from the Honolulu Heart Program, which reported that physical activity is associated with lower mortality from coronary heart disease, even after adjustment for smoking status, 2 and with a lower incidence of stroke in nonsmoking men. 3 Furthermore, the association between walking and a lower risk of death from cancer is . . .