Some limitations of the current study warrant mentioning. First, we used only three subscales of the NEWS-A, as these appeared to be related to the elderly going outdoors. However, other neighborhood factors such as a barrier-free environment and traffic situations are also important, and should be considered in subsequent studies. Second, while previous studies reported that depression and cognitive function among the elderly were also associated with the likelihood of being homebound, the current analysis did not adjust for these factors. Third, as this was a cross- sectional study, no inference about causal relationships can be made. Finally, because of the limited size of the target community, care should be taken in generalizing the findings.