Abstract
Beaches are important settings for physical activity, with their quality (safety, amenities,
aesthetics) influencing how well they support health. The quality of beaches may differ
across neighbourhoods, with higher socioeconomic status neighbourhoods having
disproportionately better access to beaches. This study examined the attributes of and
activities taking place in beaches by neighbourhood socioeconomic status. Seventy-six
beaches in Perth, Western Australia, were audited using a modified version of the BlueHealth
Environmental Assessment Tool (BEAT), which assesses the health enhancing attributes and
activities taking place in blue spaces. Analysis of variance was used to examine differences of
beach attributes by differing socioeconomic status neighbourhoods. An exploratory regression
analysis examined associations between beach features and activities conducted in and around
the beaches, and how this varied by neighbourhood socioeconomic status. Several attributes
related to aesthetics, accessibility, path networks, and safety varied by socioeconomic status,
with higher socioeconomic status neighbourhoods scoring better. Small but significant
variations in built environment features (e.g. cafes, playgrounds) were associated with
playing with a child. Disparities in beach quality across socioeconomic levels suggest the
need for further research and strategies to improve beach environments to enhance physical
activity and promote health equity.
DOI: 10.1080/23748834.2025.2511547