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Aliyas Z. Physical, mental, and physiological health benefits of green and blue outdoor spaces among elderly people. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2021; 31:703-714. [PMID: 31625761 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2019.1681379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of designed natural outdoor spaces and space type on the physical, mental, and physiological health status of elderlies. A total of 978 questionnaires were distributed among a population-based randomized sample of elderlies residing in Bandar Abbas city, Iran. Blue space users reported better health status. Park access was associated with physical and physiological health. Those participants who had cardiovascular diseases were more likely to visit the parks more often, while the people with hypertension visited the parks less often. Length of park stay positively was associated with all aspects of health status. In addition, the level of physical activity positively was associated with physical and mental health. The park organizations should work on establishing parks in shorter distances and consider the opportunity for elderlies to participate in social programs to encourage them to frequently visit the parks and increase their length of park stay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Aliyas
- Department of Architecture, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran
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Reeves JP, John CHD, Wood KA, Maund PR. A Qualitative Analysis of UK Wetland Visitor Centres as a Health Resource. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168629. [PMID: 34444378 PMCID: PMC8392124 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The health benefits associated with spending time in natural environments have been highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and restrictions to safeguard public health have exacerbated the pre-existing mental health crisis and rise of non-communicable diseases. Thus, the importance of nature as a health resource has been elevated, hastening calls for a better understanding of how health benefits might differ across user groups and nature provisions. In this regard, urban green spaces have become the greatest research focus; however, blue spaces, especially inland freshwater (e.g., wetlands), remain less studied. First-hand user experiences are also under-represented. This exploratory study examines the motivations and benefits of active wetland centre users in the UK, both during and after visits. Responses to three open-ended questions were collated online from 385 participants, and a qualitative content analysis was conducted based on an existing taxonomy from users of urban green spaces. The results showed strong motivations to visit due to the biodiversity at the site (mainly the birdlife), while less tangible nature (e.g., fresh air) and amenities were also important. In contrast to other studies on natural environments, physical activity was a less influential motivation. Salient derived effects included positive and intensely positive emotions, relaxation and mental restoration. After visits to wetland centres, feelings of vitality and satisfaction were the most prominent effects that emerged. For decision-makers looking to leverage inland blue spaces for public health benefit, our results highlight the broad range and relative prominence of the reasons for use and the associated perceived health benefits derived by users of UK wetland centres. They highlight how biodiversity, abiotic nature and good amenities are important qualities to consider when planning, managing and encouraging people to use natural environments for health benefit, qualities that may also provide important environmental co-benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P. Reeves
- Ecosystem Health & Social Dimensions Unit, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Slimbridge, Glos GL2 7BT, UK; (K.A.W.); (P.R.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Conor H. D. John
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Pl, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK; or
| | - Kevin A. Wood
- Ecosystem Health & Social Dimensions Unit, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Slimbridge, Glos GL2 7BT, UK; (K.A.W.); (P.R.M.)
| | - Phoebe R. Maund
- Ecosystem Health & Social Dimensions Unit, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Slimbridge, Glos GL2 7BT, UK; (K.A.W.); (P.R.M.)
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Is Living in a U.S. Coastal City Good for One's Health? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168399. [PMID: 34444150 PMCID: PMC8393764 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that living close to “blue spaces” (water features), particularly coastlines, has salutary effects on human health. Methods: We analyzed five years of annual, self-reported general health and unhealthy days data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 165 urban areas across the contiguous U.S. We compared health self-reports for people living in coastal vs. non-coastal urban areas and for residents of the disaster-prone Gulf of Mexico region vs. other locations. Coastal urban areas were defined as those having ≥50% of their population living within 20 km of a coast. Results: We found no overall health advantage of residing in a coastal urban location when all urban areas were considered. However, residents from non-Gulf of Mexico coastal urban areas reported modestly better health than residents from non-coastal areas. In contrast, self-reported health of Gulf coastal urban residents was significantly poorer than that of residents from other urban areas. Conclusions: The frequency of disasters and history of health and socioeconomic disparities in the Gulf region may be responsible, at least in part, for the apparent lack of health promoting effects of coastal location there.
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Liu P, Wang J, Wang X, Nie W, Zhen F. Measuring the Association of Self-Perceived Physical and Social Neighborhood Environment with Health of Chinese Rural Residents. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168380. [PMID: 34444130 PMCID: PMC8391976 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
(1) Objectives: Using cross-sectional datasets, we investigated whether better self-perceived physical and social neighborhood environment was associated with perceived health status and health-related behaviors among Chinese rural residents. (2) Study Design: The study was based on the 2016 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) survey. The sample consisted of 7191 rural residents over 18 in China. (3) Methods: The article measured physical neighborhood environment from the two aspects of dwelling environment (DE) and public facilities convenience (PFC), and social neighborhood environment from public security (PS) and neighborhood relationship (NR). Associations between health status/health-related behaviors and self-perceived physical/social neighborhood environment were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics. (4) Results: The results suggested that rural residents who live in a good neighborhood environment reported having a better health status. Specifically, rural residents who reported living in good DE were less likely to have a depressive mood and poor health conditions. Those who reported good PFC were less likely to have depressive mood, poor self-rated health and chronic diseases. Rural residents who reported having good PS were less likely to have a depressive mood. Those who reported good NR were less likely to have a depressive mood, poor self-rated health, chronic diseases and obesity. Regarding neighborhood environment and health-related behaviors, the results showed that rural residents who reported good PFC were more likely to do physical exercise. Notably, the regression results of the education level variable showed that education level significantly promoted the health-related behaviors (time sleeping weekday, physical exercise and smoking) of rural residents. (5) Conclusions: This article suggested that there was strong evidence for a relationship between physical and social neighborhood environment and the general health of rural residents due to all causes. According to the conclusion of this article, in order to improve the health of rural residents, policy interventions should give priority to improving the neighborhood environment. In addition, the improvement in the degree that rural residents are exposed to education is of the same importance, which helps more rural residents to maintain good health-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengcheng Liu
- School of Economics, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China; (P.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Economics, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China; (P.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Xiaojie Wang
- School of Management, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China;
- Correspondence:
| | - Wenjie Nie
- School of Management, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China;
| | - Fangfang Zhen
- College of Foreign Languages, Hebei University of Economics and Business, Shijiazhuang 050061, China;
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Ballesteros-Olza M, Gracia-de-Rentería P, Pérez-Zabaleta A. Effects on general health associated with beach proximity in Barcelona (Spain). Health Promot Int 2021; 35:1406-1414. [PMID: 32105314 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daaa013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Health benefits of blue spaces have been less studied compared with other urban natural environments. As a type of blue space, beaches are also affected by this lack of evidence, despite their cultural and economic importance in lots of coastal regions all over the world. Based on secondary health data from 3192 participants of the Health Survey of Barcelona 2016, we conducted a logit regression analysis to explore the relationship between people's general health and beach proximity from their dwelling place, controlling for several health determinants. Our main results suggested that having good general health was less likely for a 1-km increase in the linear distance to the closest beach from people's dwelling places (OR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87, 1.00). Moreover, the probability of having good general health was 45% higher for people living in the first 2 km from the beach (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.09), relative to those living >5-10 km from it. Also, these health effects were stronger for people with a low family income. These findings contribute to grow the currently small body of research related to health benefits of beach spaces. Likewise, they encourage fostering the use of these spaces for health promotion in cities, as well as protecting them and improving their accessibility and safety. Further research should lean towards the underlying causes of these health benefits linked to people's exposure to beach spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Ballesteros-Olza
- Aquae Chair in Water Economics, National Distance Education University (UNED), Paseo Senda del Rey, 11, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Gracia-de-Rentería
- Aquae Chair in Water Economics, National Distance Education University (UNED), Paseo Senda del Rey, 11, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Amelia Pérez-Zabaleta
- Aquae Chair in Water Economics, National Distance Education University (UNED), Paseo Senda del Rey, 11, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Boakye KA, Amram O, Schuna JM, Duncan GE, Hystad P. GPS-based built environment measures associated with adult physical activity. Health Place 2021; 70:102602. [PMID: 34139613 PMCID: PMC8328940 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Studies often rely on home locations to access built environment (BE) influences on physical activity (PA). We use GPS and accelerometer data collected for 288 individuals over a two-week period to examine eight GPS-derived BE characteristics and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and light-to-moderate-vigorous PA (LMVPA). NDVI, parks, blue space, pedestrian-orientated intersections, and population density were associated with increased odds of LMVPA and MVPA, while traffic air pollution and noise were associated with decreased odds of LMVPA and MVPA. Associations varied by population density and when accounting for multiple BE measures. These findings provide further information on where individuals choose to be physically active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwadwo A Boakye
- School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
| | - Ofer Amram
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Elson S. Floyd School of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, 99202, USA; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA.
| | - John M Schuna
- School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
| | - Glen E Duncan
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Elson S. Floyd School of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, 99202, USA.
| | - Perry Hystad
- School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
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Akaraci S, Feng X, Suesse T, Jalaludin B, Astell-Burt T. Greener neighbourhoods, healthier birth outcomes? Evidence from Australia. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 278:116814. [PMID: 33677222 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Growing body of research recognizes the importance of green spaces on the perinatal outcomes however, further evidence from different geographies are warranted. We aimed to investigate association between, and differential responses to, maternal exposure to green space and birthweight. Birth records (n = 82,221) were extracted from the Perinatal Data Collection (PDC) in Sydney's metropolitan area between January 2016 and December 2017. Association between green space quantity and birthweight, term birthweight, low birthweight, term low birthweight and preterm were assessed using linear and logistic regressions. Potential modification by area-level socioeconomic status and maternal country of birth were tested using interaction terms. Difference in birth weight for the ≥40% versus <20% green space within SA2s was 59.0 g (95%CI: 42.9, 75.3) in unadjusted models which dropped to 25.6 g (95%CI: 13.0, 38.2) in adjusted models. Stratified analysis suggested stronger associations for babies of mothers from affluent neighbourhoods, while statistically significant association was not observed in deprived areas. Furthermore, the association was more pronounced among babies to mothers who were born overseas. Associations were consistent for term births. Higher levels of green space were associated with lower odds of preterm birth in adjusted models. However, we did not identify statistically significant association between green space quantity and the risk of low birthweight (LBW). Our study suggests that green space may support healthier birth outcomes and help to reduce the birthweight gap between newborns of mothers born in Australia and overseas. However, disproportionate benefits among women in affluent neighbourhoods may widen socioeconomic inequities in birthweight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selin Akaraci
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), School of Health and Society, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
| | - Xiaoqi Feng
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), School of Health and Society, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia; School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia; Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
| | - Thomas Suesse
- NIASRA, National Institute for Applied Statistics Research Australia School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
| | - Bin Jalaludin
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2170, Australia.
| | - Thomas Astell-Burt
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), School of Health and Society, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia; Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Peking Union Medical College and The Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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58
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Oliver B. Cold water swimming for well-being. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/jpmh-02-2021-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the health and well-being benefits of outdoor, cold water swimming.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes the personal experience of one cold water swimmer. It also explores some of the research literature suggesting there is evidence of the benefits to the health and well-being of people of all ages.
Findings
The paper explores literature suggesting there is evidence of the benefits of “blue therapy” to the health and well-being of people of all ages.
Originality
This paper describes the personal experience of one cold water swimmer. However, a growing body of published literature suggests there is value in “blue therapy” informing future social prescribing programmes.
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Asthana S, Gibson A. Averting a public health crisis in England's coastal communities: a call for public health research and policy. J Public Health (Oxf) 2021; 44:642-650. [PMID: 33982058 PMCID: PMC9424058 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Coastal communities have received little attention in the public health literature, perhaps because our mental maps tend to associate socio-economic deprivation and health inequalities with inner cities. Mapping a range of key health indicators at small area level, this paper reveals a distinct core-periphery pattern in disease prevalence, with coastal communities experiencing a high burden of ill health across almost all conditions included in the Quality and Outcomes Framework dataset. Other sources suggest poor outcomes for children and young people living in coastal areas. Low rates of participation in higher education contrast with high rates of hospitalisation for self-harm, alcohol and substance use. Reflecting a shift in the distribution of children living in poverty since the 1990s, this may be an early indicator of a future public health crisis in these communities. Exploring reasons for the health challenges facing the periphery, this perspective piece calls for more public health research that can accommodate the complex and interlinked problems facing coastal communities and a more concerted effort to align public health with economic, education, local government and transport policies at the national level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena Asthana
- Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR), University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Alex Gibson
- Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR), University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
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60
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Van Acker E, Huysman S, De Rijcke M, Asselman J, De Schamphelaere KAC, Vanhaecke L, Janssen CR. Phycotoxin-Enriched Sea Spray Aerosols: Methods, Mechanisms, and Human Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:6184-6196. [PMID: 33843191 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
To date, few studies have examined the role of sea spray aerosols (SSAs) in human exposure to harmful and beneficial marine compounds. Two groups of phycotoxins (brevetoxins and ovatoxins) have been reported to induce respiratory syndromes during harmful algal blooms. The aerosolization and coastal air concentrations of other common marine phycotoxins have, however, never been examined. This study provides the first (experimental) evidence and characterization of the aerosolization of okadaic acid (OA), homoyessotoxin, and dinophysistoxin-1 using seawater spiked with toxic algae combined with the realistic SSA production in a marine aerosol reference tank (MART). The potential for aerosolization of these phycotoxins was highlighted by their 78- to 1769-fold enrichment in SSAs relative to the subsurface water. To obtain and support these results, we first developed an analytical method for the determination of phycotoxin concentrations in SSAs, which showed good linearity (R2 > 0.99), recovery (85.3-101.8%), and precision (RSDs ≤ 17.2%). We also investigated natural phycotoxin air concentrations by means of in situ SSA sampling with concurrent aerosolization experiments using natural seawater in the MART. This approach allowed us to indirectly quantify the (harmless) magnitude of OA concentrations (0.6-51 pg m-3) in Belgium's coastal air. Overall, this study provides new insights into the enriched aerosolization of marine compounds and proposes a framework to assess their airborne exposure and effects on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Van Acker
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Campus Coupure, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steve Huysman
- Laboratory of Chemical Analysis, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Campus Merelbeke, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Maarten De Rijcke
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), InnovOcean site, Wandelaarkaai 7, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Jana Asselman
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Campus Coupure, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Campus Oostende, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Karel A C De Schamphelaere
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Campus Coupure, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lynn Vanhaecke
- Laboratory of Chemical Analysis, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Campus Merelbeke, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
- Queen's University Belfast, School of Biological Sciences, Lisburn Road 97, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Colin R Janssen
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Campus Coupure, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Campus Oostende, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
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Hermanski A, McClelland J, Pearce-Walker J, Ruiz J, Verhougstraete M. The effects of blue spaces on mental health and associated biomarkers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00207411.2021.1910173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Hermanski
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jean McClelland
- Health Promotion Sciences Department, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jennifer Pearce-Walker
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - John Ruiz
- College of Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Marc Verhougstraete
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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62
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Marek L, Hobbs M, Wiki J, Kingham S, Campbell M. The good, the bad, and the environment: developing an area-based measure of access to health-promoting and health-constraining environments in New Zealand. Int J Health Geogr 2021; 20:16. [PMID: 33823853 PMCID: PMC8025579 DOI: 10.1186/s12942-021-00269-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Accounting for the co-occurrence of multiple environmental influences is a more accurate reflection of population exposure than considering isolated influences, aiding in understanding the complex interactions between environments, behaviour and health. This study examines how environmental ‘goods’ such as green spaces and environmental ‘bads’ such as alcohol outlets co-occur to develop a nationwide area-level healthy location index (HLI) for New Zealand. Methods Nationwide data were collected, processed, and geocoded on a comprehensive range of environmental exposures. Health-constraining ‘bads’ were represented by: (i) fast-food outlets, (ii) takeaway outlets, (iii) dairy outlets and convenience stores, (iv) alcohol outlets, (v) and gaming venues. Health-promoting ‘goods’ were represented by: (i) green spaces, (ii) blue spaces, (iii) physical activity facilities, (iv) fruit and vegetable outlets, and (v) supermarkets. The HLI was developed based on ranked access to environmental domains. The HLI was then used to investigate socio-spatial patterning by area-level deprivation and rural/urban classification. Results Results showed environmental ‘goods’ and ‘bads’ co-occurred together and were patterned by area-level deprivation. The novel HLI shows that the most deprived areas of New Zealand often have the most environmental ‘bads’ and less access to environmental ‘goods’. Conclusions The index, that is now publicly available, is able to capture both inter-regional and local variations in accessibility to health-promoting and health-constraining environments and their combination. Results in this study further reinforce the need to embrace the multidimensional nature of neighbourhood and place not only when designing health-promoting places, but also when studying the effect of existing built environments on population health. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12942-021-00269-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Marek
- GeoHealth Laboratory, Geospatial Research Institute, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
| | - Matthew Hobbs
- GeoHealth Laboratory, Geospatial Research Institute, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Jesse Wiki
- GeoHealth Laboratory, Geospatial Research Institute, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Simon Kingham
- GeoHealth Laboratory, Geospatial Research Institute, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,School of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Malcolm Campbell
- GeoHealth Laboratory, Geospatial Research Institute, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,School of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
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63
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Moriarity RJ, Zuk AM, Liberda EN, Tsuji LJS. Health measures of Eeyouch (Cree) who are eligible to participate in the on-the-land Income Security Program in Eeyou Istchee (northern Quebec, Canada). BMC Public Health 2021; 21:628. [PMID: 33789644 PMCID: PMC8011104 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10654-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Participation in on-the-land programs that encourage traditional cultural activities may improve health and well-being. The Income Security Program (ISP) - a financial incentive-based on-the-land program - for Eeyouch (Cree) hunters and trappers in Eeyou Istchee was created as a result of the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement to help mitigate the effects of hydroelectric development on the Cree people of northern Quebec, Canada. Beyond the ISP's financial incentives, little is known about the health measures of those who are eligible to participate in the ISP (i.e. spent ≥120 days on-the-land during the previous year). Therefore, this paper's objective was to assess the health measures of northern Quebec Cree, who were eligible for participation in the ISP. METHODS Using participant data (n = 545) compiled from the Nituuchischaayihtitaau Aschii Multi-Community Environment-and-Health Study, we assessed 13 different health measures in generalized linear models with the independent variable being the eligibility to participate in the ISP. RESULTS Participants in the present study who were eligible for the ISP had significantly higher levels of vigorous and moderate activity per week, and higher concentrations of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the blood compared to those ineligible for the ISP (i.e. spent ≤119 days on-the-land during the previous year). Encouragingly, following model adjustment for age and sex, participants eligible for the ISP did not have higher blood concentrations of mercury than those who were not eligible for the ISP. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the participants eligible for participation in the ISP are likely to be healthier than those who are ineligible to participate - and are promising for on-the-land programs for Indigenous peoples beyond a financial incentive - with no apparent higher risk of increasing contaminant body burden through traditional on-the-land-activities (e.g. fish consumption).
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Moriarity
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, SW151 University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada.
| | - Aleksandra M Zuk
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, SW151 University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada.,School of Nursing, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Eric N Liberda
- School of Occupational and Public Health, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Leonard J S Tsuji
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, SW151 University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
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Zaldo-Aubanell Q, Serra I, Sardanyés J, Alsedà L, Maneja R. Reviewing the reliability of Land Use and Land Cover data in studies relating human health to the environment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 194:110578. [PMID: 33333037 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, research has been increasingly devoted to understanding the complex human health-environment relationship. Nevertheless, many different measurements have been applied to characterize the environment. Among them, the application of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) data is becoming more noticeable over time. AIMS This research aims to analyse the reliability of Land Use and Land Cover data (LULC) data as a suitable describer of the environment in studies relating human health to the environment. With a specific focus on the methodologies using LULC data, we also examine the study designs and analytical methods that have been commonly performed so far. MATERIALS AND METHODS We gathered studies relating human health outcomes to Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) data. A Boolean search limited to reviews was conducted in February 2019 using Web of Science Core Collection search engines. Five reviews were selected as our preliminary starting set of literature and from those, two backward snowballing searches were conducted. The first backward snowballing search used the reference lists of the first 5 reviews and revealed 17 articles. From these, the second search gathered 24 new articles also fulfilling the inclusion criteria established. In total, 41 articles were examined. RESULTS Our main results reported that Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) data national level data was preferred over LULC international level data. However, this tendency seems to be strongly related to the specific aims of the articles. They essentially defined the living environment either through buffer zones, using the administrative boundaries wherein the individuals reside, or using the specific location of the individuals assessed. As for the characterization of the environment, authors performed 4 principal methodologies: extracting the percentage of green space, computing the "Land Use mix", recording the type of land cover, and using the percentage of tree canopy. Besides, all the articles included measurements in urban contexts and most of them evaluated the accessibility of individuals to their surroundings. Furthermore, it was clearly stated that the complexity of the topic and the challenging data leads authors to carry out advanced statistical methods and mostly cross-sectional designs with no causal relations. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) data has been demonstrated to be a versatile tool supporting both local-focused studies with few individuals involved and broad territorial-scoped studies with huge populations. Promising synergy has been highlighted between Electronic Health Records (EHR) and LULC data in studies dealing with massive information and broader scopes with regards to the assessment of territorial realities. As this emerging topic matures, investigators should (1) elucidate subjects of ongoing debate such as the measurement of the living environment and its characterization; (2) explore the whole potential of LULC data, using methodologies that encompass both their biophysical and socioeconomic information; (3) perform innovative designs that are able to establish causal relationships among the studied variables (for example, Cellular Automata models), and (4) expand the current set of studied health outcomes leveraging comprehensive and trustworthy health data sources such as EHR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quim Zaldo-Aubanell
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Environment and Human Health Laboratory (EH(2) Lab), Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia, Ctra. de St. Llorenç de Morunys, km 2, 25280, Solsona, Spain.
| | - Isabel Serra
- Centre de Recerca Matemàtica, Edifici C, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Graduate School of Mathematics (BGSMath), Edici C, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Josep Sardanyés
- Centre de Recerca Matemàtica, Edifici C, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Graduate School of Mathematics (BGSMath), Edici C, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Lluís Alsedà
- Centre de Recerca Matemàtica, Edifici C, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Graduate School of Mathematics (BGSMath), Edici C, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Matemàtiques, Edifici C, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Roser Maneja
- Environment and Human Health Laboratory (EH(2) Lab), Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia, Ctra. de St. Llorenç de Morunys, km 2, 25280, Solsona, Spain; Geography Department, Edifici B, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain; Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia, Ctra. de St. Llorenç de Morunys, km 2, 25280, Solsona, Spain.
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Mishra HS, Bell S, Grellier J, White MP. Testing the reliability and effectiveness of a new tool for assessing urban blue spaces: The BlueHealth environmental assessment tool (BEAT). Health Place 2021; 68:102526. [PMID: 33610888 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In order to understand how blue spaces may influence health-promoting behaviours, a reliable and effective assessment tool is needed. The Blue Health Environment Assessment Tool (BEAT) was developed to meet this need. A two-stage approach to testing the reliability of the tool is presented here. At Stage-1, one common and several different expert assessors rated 16 sites independently and their results compared. In Stage-2, two assessors rated 21 sites independently and their results were compared. The Inter-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to assess inter-rater reliability to both stages. Stage-2 results showed greater reliability after enhanced training of the assessors. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the tool at revealing differences between sites and for identifying health promoting affordances we carried out intra and inter-site comparisons of a subset of six sites for the Stage-1 and 18 sites for Stage-2. The results showed that overall the tool performs consistently and compares well to the reliability shown by other similar tools. The tool is also highly effective in identifying site-specific differences across the test sample of blue spaces. The results demonstrate that the tool can be used reliably (with training and guidance) and that it provides meaningful data to help planners and designers assess different sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himansu Sekhar Mishra
- Chair of Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 56/3, 51006, Tartu, Estonia; Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Simon Bell
- Chair of Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 56/3, 51006, Tartu, Estonia; Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of Edinburgh, 74 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH3 9DF, UK
| | - James Grellier
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK; Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Mathew P White
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK; Cognitive Science HUB, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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66
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Olvera-Alvarez HA, Browning MHEM, Neophytou AM, Bratman GN. Associations of Residential Brownness and Greenness with Fasting Glucose in Young Healthy Adults Living in the Desert. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:E520. [PMID: 33435223 PMCID: PMC7826883 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Evolutionary psychology theories propose that contact with green, natural environments may benefit physical health, but little comparable evidence exists for brown, natural environments, such as the desert. In this study, we examined the association between "brownness" and "greenness" with fasting glucose among young residents of El Paso, Texas. We defined brownness as the surface not covered by vegetation or impervious land within Euclidian buffers around participants' homes. Fasting glucose along with demographic and behavioral data were obtained from the Nurse Engagement and Wellness Study (n = 517). We found that residential proximity to brownness was not associated with fasting glucose when modeled independently. In contrast, we found that residential greenness was associated with decreased levels of fasting glucose, despite the relatively low levels of greenness within the predominantly desert environment of El Paso. A difference between the top and bottom greenness exposure quartiles within a 250 m buffer was associated with a 3.5 mg/dL decrease in fasting glucose levels (95% confidence interval: -6.2, -0.8). Our results suggest that within the understudied context of the desert, green vegetation may be health promoting to a degree that is similar to other, non-desert locations in the world that have higher baselines levels of green.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector A. Olvera-Alvarez
- School of Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University, 3455 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Matthew H. E. M. Browning
- Virtual Reality and Nature Lab, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA;
| | - Andreas M. Neophytou
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
| | - Gregory N. Bratman
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
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67
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Urban Blue Acupuncture: An Experiment on Preferences for Design Options Using Virtual Models. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su122410656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Within the BlueHealth project, funded under the Horizon 2020 European Union research framework, a number of targeted experimental design interventions created in virtual reality (VR) were used to test the effect and impact of planning and design on encouraging people to use various blue spaces. A set of designs in three different coastal landscape types—a cliff/steep slope; a sandy beach and an area of reed beds—located in Tallinn, Estonia, were used as the sites for nine different intervention designs. The designs were based on a combination of the site features and inspirations from solutions found in different locations internationally. Using 3D modelling and a Virtual Reality system, a set of nine videos, one to depict each intervention, was created and shown to a quota sample of 252 Estonian residents. Respondents were asked a set of questions associated with each option. The results were analysed statistically and qualitatively. The results uncovered key preferences for designs and revealed differences among age groups and the levels of personal interconnection with nature. However, there were problems associated with the interpretation and understanding of some of the options by some of the people due to the degree of realism of the VR representations, which may have affected the results. The project shows that VR could be a useful tool for testing design ideas as part of public participation approaches but that care is needed in ensuring that viewers understand what they are assessing.
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68
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White MP, Elliott LR, Gascon M, Roberts B, Fleming LE. Blue space, health and well-being: A narrative overview and synthesis of potential benefits. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:110169. [PMID: 32971082 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Research into the potential health and well-being benefits from exposure to green spaces such as parks and woodlands has led to the development of several frameworks linking the different strands of evidence. The current paper builds on these to provide a model of how exposure to aquatic environments, or blue spaces such as rivers, lakes and the coast, in particular, may benefit health and well-being. Although green and blue spaces share many commonalities, there are also important differences. Given the breadth of the research, spanning multiple disciplines and research methodologies, a narrative review approach was adopted which aimed to highlight key issues and processes rather than provide a definitive balance of evidence summary. Novel aspects of our framework included the inclusion of outcomes that are only indirectly good for health through being good for the environment, the addition of nature connectedness as both a trait and state, and feedback loops where actions/interventions to increase exposure are implemented. Limitations of the review and areas for future work, including the need to integrate potential benefits with potential risks, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew P White
- European Centre for Environment & Human Health, University of Exeter, UK; Urban & Environmental Psychology Group, University of Vienna, Austria.
| | - Lewis R Elliott
- European Centre for Environment & Human Health, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Mireia Gascon
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Bethany Roberts
- European Centre for Environment & Human Health, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Lora E Fleming
- European Centre for Environment & Human Health, University of Exeter, UK
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69
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Therapeutic Qualities and Sustainable Approach to Heritage of the City. The Coastal Strip in Gdańsk, Poland. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12219243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, the case of the Coastal Strip in Gdańsk is presented. Gdańsk has natural and cultural heritage of great value and is included on Tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage List as “Gdansk—Town of Memory and Freedom”. The Coastal Strip is a rare example of landscape with natural dunes located within walking distance from densely populated residential districts. Therefore, the economic pressure for urban development is extremely strong. At the same time, the rise of social awareness about potential consequences of urbanization brought numerous efforts by local activists and researchers to prevent further development of the Coastal Strip. This study consisted of assessment of therapeutic qualities of The Coastal Strip using a conceptual framework—a universal standard for health promoting places. The results demonstrated that The Coastal Strip is a health-promoting place, thus adding new research-based evidence against plans for urban development of that area.
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70
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Tsuji LJS, Tsuji SRJ, Zuk AM, Davey R, Liberda EN. Harvest Programs in First Nations of Subarctic Canada: The Benefits Go Beyond Addressing Food Security and Environmental Sustainability Issues. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E8113. [PMID: 33153153 PMCID: PMC7663715 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17218113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
By breaking down barriers that impacted the ability of subarctic First Nations people to harvest waterfowl, the Sharing-the-Harvest program provided a safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food (i.e., geese) to James Bay Cree communities while also helping to protect the environment by harvesting overabundant geese. However, the impacts extend beyond those described above. Thus, the objectives of the present paper are twofold: to document the food sharing networks of the Sharing-the-Harvest program; and to examine the benefits associated with the harvest program beyond food security and environmental sustainability issues, as revealed through semi-directed interviews. In the regional initiative, harvested geese were shared with all James Bay communities; sharing is an important part of Cree culture. Where detailed information was collected, the goose-sharing network reached 76% of the homes in one of the communities. Likewise, in the local initiative, the goose-sharing network had a 76% coverage rate of the homes in the community. Although decreasing food insecurity was an important focus of the harvest-sharing programs, there were other benefits, from an Indigenous perspective, of being on the land, as identified by the Cree harvesters through semi-directed interviews (e.g., the transmission of Indigenous knowledge, the strengthening of social networks, and the feeling of wellness while out on-the-land). Thus, by participating in the on-the-land harvest programs, the Cree gained benefits beyond those solely related to strengthening food security and contributing in part to environmental sustainability. The Sharing-the-Harvest protocol has the potential to be adapted and employed by other Indigenous (or marginalized) groups worldwide, to help improve health and wellness, while, also protecting the environment from overabundant and/or invasive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard J. S. Tsuji
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada;
| | - Stephen R. J. Tsuji
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada;
| | - Aleksandra M. Zuk
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada;
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Roger Davey
- Fort Albany First Nation, Fort Albany, ON P0L 1H0, Canada;
| | - Eric N. Liberda
- School of Occupational and Public Health, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada;
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71
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Garrett JK, White MP, Elliott LR, Wheeler BW, Fleming LE. Urban nature and physical activity: Investigating associations using self-reported and accelerometer data and the role of household income. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 190:109899. [PMID: 32750550 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is a major public health concern. Natural, or semi-natural, environments may encourage physical activity, but the influences of socio-economic factors have been under-researched. METHODS We explored the associations between meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines and both neighbourhood green (area coverage) and blue (freshwater coverage and coastal proximity) environments for urban adults using data from the Health Survey for England [HSE] (2008/2012). We considered different domains of self-reported PA: walking (n = 18,391), sports and other exercise (n = 18,438), non-recreational (domestic/gardening/occupational; n = 18,446) and all three domains combined (n = 18,447); as well as accelerometer-derived PA data using a subsample (n = 1,774). Relationships were stratified by equivalised household income as an indicator of socio-economic status. RESULTS After adjusting for covariates, living <5 km from the coast was associated with significantly higher odds of meeting UK 2010 guidelines through self-reported total, walking and non-recreational PA (e.g. total PA, <5 km vs. >20 km, adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) = 1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15-1.39) but unrelated to sports and exercise. Greater neighbourhood greenspace, however, was only associated with significantly higher odds of meeting guidelines through non-recreational PA alone (e.g. 80-100% vs. <20% ORadj = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.12-1.56). Although associations were most consistent in the lowest income quintile, income-related results were mixed. Relationships were not replicated in the smaller accelerometry subsample. CONCLUSION Our self-report findings for the differing domains of PA as a function of neighbourhood green and blue space broadly replicated previous research, yet the reasons for the observed differences between PA domains and environments remain unclear. We did not observe any associations between environmental variables and accelerometer-measured PA; further research with larger samples is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne K Garrett
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Mathew P White
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Lewis R Elliott
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Benedict W Wheeler
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Lora E Fleming
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
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Carreño A, Gascon M, Vert C, Lloret J. The Beneficial Effects of Short-Term Exposure to Scuba Diving on Human Mental Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17197238. [PMID: 33022983 PMCID: PMC7579011 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17197238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to outdoor blue spaces can help improve human health by reducing stress, promoting social relationships, and physical activity. While most studies have focused on the adverse health effects of scuba diving, very few have assessed its health benefits. Moreover, when scuba diving is done in large groups with no diving instructor or pre-dive briefing, negative environmental impacts are generated and negative impacts on human health may also occur due to overcrowding, which may create stress. This is the first study to evaluate the effects of scuba diving on divers' mental health using their diving practices to estimate the impacts on the ecosystem. In the marine-protected area of Cap de Creus and adjacent areas, we assessed the mental health of 176 divers and 70 beach users (control group) by employing a 29-item version of Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaires. According to the parameters associated with reduced environmental impacts, two scuba diving experiences were established. Poisson regression models were performed to assess both the contribution of the activity and diving experiences to POMS scores. Both groups (scuba divers and beach goers) reduced their POMS scores after carrying out the activities. Although no significant differences were found between beach and scuba diving activities, nor between the two different scuba diving experiences, our results showed that subjects with regular medication intake due to a chronic or psychiatric illness had a POMS reduction score significantly higher than other subjects. We conclude that both beach and scuba diving activities have positive effects for human mental health, particularly among subjects with regular medication intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnau Carreño
- Oceans & Human Health Chair, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain;
- Correspondence: or
| | - Mireia Gascon
- ISGlobal (Global Health Institute Barcelona), Campus Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.G.); (C.V.)
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Vert
- ISGlobal (Global Health Institute Barcelona), Campus Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.G.); (C.V.)
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Josep Lloret
- Oceans & Human Health Chair, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain;
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Egner LE, Sütterlin S, Calogiuri G. Proposing a Framework for the Restorative Effects of Nature through Conditioning: Conditioned Restoration Theory. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E6792. [PMID: 32957693 PMCID: PMC7558998 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17186792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Natural environments have been shown to trigger psychological and physiological restoration in humans. A new framework regarding natural environments restorative properties is proposed. Conditioned restoration theory builds on a classical conditioning paradigm, postulating the occurrence of four stages: (i) unconditioned restoration, unconditioned positive affective responses reliably occur in a given environment (such as in a natural setting); (ii) restorative conditioning, the positive affective responses become conditioned to the environment; (iii) conditioned restoration, subsequent exposure to the environment, in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus, retrieves the same positive affective responses; and (iv) stimulus generalization, subsequent exposure to associated environmental cues retrieves the same positive affective responses. The process, hypothetically not unique to natural environments, involve the well-documented phenomenon of conditioning, retrieval, and association and relies on evaluative conditioning, classical conditioning, core affect, and conscious expectancy. Empirical findings showing that restoration can occur in non-natural environments and through various sensory stimuli, as well as findings demonstrating that previous negative experience with nature can subsequently lower restorative effects, are also presented in support of the theory. In integration with other existing theories, the theory should prove to be a valuable framework for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Even Egner
- Citizens, Environment and Safety, Institute of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7048 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Stefan Sütterlin
- Faculty of Health and Welfare Sciences, Østfold University College, 1757 Halden, Norway;
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Giovanna Calogiuri
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3045 Drammen, Norway;
- Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2411 Elverum, Norway
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GIS-Based Emotional Computing: A Review of Quantitative Approaches to Measure the Emotion Layer of Human–Environment Relationships. ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/ijgi9090551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, with the growing accessibility of abundant contextual emotion information, which is benefited by the numerous georeferenced user-generated content and the maturity of artificial intelligence (AI)-based emotional computing technics, the emotion layer of human–environment relationship is proposed for enriching traditional methods of various related disciplines such as urban planning. This paper proposes the geographic information system (GIS)-based emotional computing concept, which is a novel framework for applying GIS methods to collective human emotion. The methodology presented in this paper consists of three key steps: (1) collecting georeferenced data containing emotion and environment information such as social media and official sites, (2) detecting emotions using AI-based emotional computing technics such as natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision (CV), and (3) visualizing and analyzing the spatiotemporal patterns with GIS tools. This methodology is a great synergy of multidisciplinary cutting-edge techniques, such as GIScience, sociology, and computer science. Moreover, it can effectively and deeply explore the connection between people and their surroundings with the help of GIS methods. Generally, the framework provides a standard workflow to calculate and analyze the new information layer for researchers, in which a measured human-centric perspective onto the environment is possible.
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Dahlui M, Azzeri A, Zain MA, Mohd Noor MI, Jaafar H, Then AYH, Suhaimi J, Kari F, Creencia LA, Madarcos JR, Jose E, Fleming LE, White MP, Morrissey K, Fadzil KS, Goh HC. Health status, healthcare utilisation, and quality of life among the coastal communities in Sabah: Protocol of a population-based survey. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e22067. [PMID: 32925742 PMCID: PMC7489655 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000022067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Coastal areas in Malaysia can have important impacts on the livelihoods and health of local communities. Efforts by Malaysian government to develop and improve the landscape and ecosystem have been planned; however, the progress has been relatively slow because some of the coastal areas are remote and relatively inaccessible. Thus, these coastal communities face various challenges in health, healthcare and quality of life. This paper presents a study protocol to examine the health status, healthcare utilisation, and quality of life among the coastal communities. In addition, the relationship between the community and their coastal environment is examined. METHODOLOGY AND ANALYSIS The population of interest is the coastal communities residing within the Tun Mustapha Park in Sabah, Malaysia. The data collection is planned for a duration of 6 months and the findings are expected by December 2020. A random cluster sampling will be conducted at three districts of Sabah. This study will collect 600 adult respondents (300 households are estimated to be collected) at age of 18 and above. The project is a cross sectional study via face-to-face interview with administered questionnaires, anthropometrics measurements and observation of the living condition performed by trained interviewers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maznah Dahlui
- Centre for Population Health (CePH), Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya
- Faculty of Public Health, University of Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Amirah Azzeri
- Centre for Population Health (CePH), Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya
- Department of Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
| | - Mohd Aizat Zain
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya
| | - Mohd Iqbal Mohd Noor
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya
- Faculty of Business Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 26400, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Hafiz Jaafar
- Centre for Population Health (CePH), Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya
- Department of Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
| | - Amy Yee Hui Then
- Institute of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya
| | - Julia Suhaimi
- Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya
| | - Fatimah Kari
- Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lota A. Creencia
- College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Western Philippines University, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
| | - John Roderick Madarcos
- College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Western Philippines University, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
| | - Edgar Jose
- College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Western Philippines University, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
| | - Lora E. Fleming
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3LJ, UK
| | - Mathew P. White
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3LJ, UK
| | - Karyn Morrissey
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3LJ, UK
| | - Kamal Solhaimi Fadzil
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hong Ching Goh
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya
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Abstract
(1) Background: Settler colonialism has severely disrupted Indigenous ancestral ways of healing and being, contributing to an onslaught of health disparities. In particular, the United Houma Nation (UHN) has faced large land loss and trauma, dispossession, and marginalization. Given the paucity of research addressing health for Indigenous individuals living in Louisiana, this study sought to co-identify a United Houma Nation health framework, by co-developing a community land-based healing approach in order to inform future community-based health prevention programs. (2) Methods: This pilot tested, co-designed and implemented a land-based healing pilot study among Houma women utilizing a health promotion leadership approach and utilized semi-structured interviews among 20 UHN women to identify a UHN health framework to guide future results. (3) Results: The findings indicated that RTOR was a feasible pilot project. The initial themes were (1.) place, (2.) environmental/land trauma, (3.) ancestors, (4.) spirituality/mindfulness, (5.) cultural continuity, and (6.) environment and health. The reconnection to land was deemed feasible and seen as central to renewing relationships with ancestors (aihalia asanochi taha), others, and body. This mindful, re-engagement with the land contributed to subthemes of developing stronger tribal identities, recreating ceremonies, and increased cultural continuity, and transforming narratives of trauma into hope and resilience. Based on these findings a Houma Health (Uma Hochokma) Framework was developed and presented. (4) Conclusions: Overall, this study found that land can serve as a feasible therapeutic site for healing through reconnecting Houma tribal citizens to both ancestral knowledges and stories of resilience, as well as viewing self as part of a larger collective. These findings also imply that revisiting historically traumatic places encouraged renewed commitment to cultural continuity and health behaviors—particularly when these places are approached relationally, with ceremony, and traumatic events tied to these places, including climate change and environmental/land trauma, are acknowledged along with the love the ancestors held for future generations.
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Vert C, Gascon M, Ranzani O, Márquez S, Triguero-Mas M, Carrasco-Turigas G, Arjona L, Koch S, Llopis M, Donaire-Gonzalez D, Elliott LR, Nieuwenhuijsen M. Physical and mental health effects of repeated short walks in a blue space environment: A randomised crossover study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 188:109812. [PMID: 32590148 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Blue spaces may benefit mental health and promote physical activity, although the evidence is still scarce. And benefits on physical health are less consistent. The objective of this randomized crossover study was to assess psychological and cardiovascular responses to blue spaces' exposure. METHODS A sample of 59 healthy adult office workers was randomly assigned to a different environment (i.e. blue space, urban space, and control site) on 4 days each week, for 3 weeks. For 20 min per day, they either walked along a blue or an urban space or rested at a control site. Before, during and/or after the exposure, we measured self-reported well-being and mood, blood pressure, and heart rate variability parameters. For well-being, we also assessed the duration of these potential effects over time (at least 4 h after exposure). RESULTS We found significantly improved well-being and mood responses immediately after walking in the blue space compared with walking in the urban space or when resting in the control site. Cardiovascular responses showed increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, both during and after walking along the blue and urban spaces. However, cardiovascular responses measured after the walks, showed no statistically significant differences between the blue and the urban space environments. CONCLUSIONS Short walks in blue spaces can benefit both well-being and mood. However, we did not observe a positive effect of blue spaces for any of the cardiovascular outcomes assessed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Vert
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Gascon
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Otavio Ranzani
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandra Márquez
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Margarita Triguero-Mas
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; IMIM (Hospital Del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Lab for Urban Environmental Justice and Sustainability, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Glòria Carrasco-Turigas
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lourdes Arjona
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sarah Koch
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Llopis
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Donaire-Gonzalez
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division of Environmental Epidemiology (EEPI), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lewis R Elliott
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain.
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Understanding coastal public health: Employment, behavioural and psychosocial factors associated with geographical inequalities. The HUNT study, Norway. Soc Sci Med 2020; 264:113286. [PMID: 32861971 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Recent decades have shown an international trend of decline in small-scale fishing; a longstanding and vital industry for numerous coastal populations. The decline has resulted in a loss of livelihoods in many coastal communities, potentially afflicting public health. Still, knowledge about the health situation of these areas is limited. Former studies on coastal health have primarily defined coastal areas based solely on their proximity to the coast, therefore not targeting the traditional coastal communities with longstanding coastal involvement through small-scale fishing. In this paper, we aim to illuminate the health situation in these areas by introducing a more fine-grained classification of the coastal study population; considering both geographical proximity to the coast, population density and employment in fishing. Using data from the Norwegian population-based HUNT Study, we perform individual and simultaneous adjustments for employment, behavioural and psychosocial factors to assess the contributions of these factors to the association between geographical affiliation and self-rated general health. The rural coastal areas with a history of small-scale fishing show a poorer health situation compared to urban coastal, rural inland and rural fjord populations, and behavioural factors contribute the most to the observed health disparities. Our findings encourage greater focus on societal differences between coastal communities when studying coastal health.
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Tam EK, Mehravaran S, Young A, Duarte PB, Mondino K, Coleman AL. Relationship between Geography and Refractive Error from the UCLA Preschool Vision Program. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2020; 28:32-38. [PMID: 32669011 DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2020.1791348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Using the screening data collected through the University of California, Los Angeles Preschool Vision Program (UPVP) that provides free vision screening to children 2.5 to 6 years of age attending public preschools in five Supervisory Districts in Los Angeles County, this paper explores whether geographic location of where children attended preschool affects the vision screening results. METHODS 62,936 children were screened using a handheld device (Nikon Retinomax) between academic years 2012 and 2015. The criteria for failing the screening was set to sphere of ≤ -3.25 diopters (D), sphere ≥ +1.75 D, or cylinder of ≥1.50 D in either eye, or inter-ocular difference of >2.00 D in spherical error (>1.50D in case of antimetropia) or ≥1.00 D in cylinder error. RESULTS Higher fail rates were found among girls, Latino race, and those who primarily spoke Spanish at home. In addition, there was a geographical variance in screening outcomes among Supervisory Districts with District 1 having the highest fail rate and District 4 having the lowest fail rate. CONCLUSION This paper provides preliminary evidence of geographic factors contributing to the development of refractive errors among preschoolers which may be used in future studies to address the unmet needs of children with vision impairments in Los Angeles County.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K Tam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California , Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Shiva Mehravaran
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California , Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Andrew Young
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California , Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Pamela B Duarte
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California , Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kara Mondino
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California , Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Anne L Coleman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California , Los Angeles, California, USA
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Jarvis I, Koehoorn M, Gergel SE, van den Bosch M. Different types of urban natural environments influence various dimensions of self-reported health. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 186:109614. [PMID: 32668554 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing evidence suggests health benefits of natural environments. Yet, the effects of different types of natural environments (vegetation and water features) and forms of human-nature contact (access versus exposure) remain relatively unexplored. METHODS A cross-sectional observational survey was used to analyse the relationship between both access and exposure to different types of urban natural environments and health outcomes in Metro Vancouver, Canada. Data for health outcomes (self-reported general health, mental health, and common mental disorders) and key confounders were obtained from the 2013-2014 Canadian Community Health Survey. Natural environments were quantified using local land use and land cover data, and linked to survey respondents by six-digit postal code. Access was defined as living within 300 m of a public greenspace (≥ 1 hectare) and exposure as the percentage of different land cover types within multiple buffer distances of postal code centroids. Separate logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations of the access and exposure metrics with the three health outcomes. RESULTS Exposure to water within 1,000 m buffers was associated with a reduced odds of reporting poor general health (OR = 0.982, 95% CI = 0.965, 0.999). A similar association was found for exposure to shrub and grass-herb vegetation types for reported mental health and common mental disorder, respectively (OR = 0.741, 95% CI = 0.576, 0.953 for shrubs in 250 m; OR = 0.737, 95% CI = 0.577, 0.942 for shrubs in 500 m; OR = 0.731, 95% CI = 0.570, 0.938 for shrubs in 1,000 m; OR = 0.980, 95% CI = 0.965, 0.995 for grass-herbs in 250 m). Neither access to public greenspace nor aggregated greenspace exposure were associated with self-reported health. Results from stratified analyses suggest that observed associations between human-nature contact and self-reported health differ according to gender. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that type of natural environment should be considered in future research studying the health-promoting aspects of natural environments, and that positive health effects may be more consistent for daily life exposure than for access to public greenspace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Jarvis
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Mieke Koehoorn
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Sarah E Gergel
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Matilda van den Bosch
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
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MacBride-Stewart S, Butler C, Fox NJ. Editorial: Special Issue on Society, Environment and Health. Health (London) 2020; 23:117-121. [PMID: 30786772 DOI: 10.1177/1363459318816138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nick J Fox
- University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
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Urban Blue Acupuncture: A Protocol for Evaluating a Complex Landscape Design Intervention to Improve Health and Wellbeing in a Coastal Community. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12104084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Within the BlueHealth project, funded under the Horizon 2020 European Union research framework, a number of targeted experimental design interventions were used to test the effect and impact of planning and design on encouraging people to use various blue spaces. Complex interventions were implemented and evaluations before and after each were made using a set of tools which triangulate with each other—a site assessment tool, a behaviour observation tool, a questionnaire survey (including an economic evaluation) and qualitative interviews. The theoretical basis for the research is that of affordances, and the projects each involved modest changes to the landscape using the approach of “urban acupuncture” where a small intervention can potentially have an effect out of all proportion to the investment. This paper is a protocol paper and describes the research strategy and methodology in detail for one of the intervention sites, located in Plymouth in the UK. The aim is to present the methodology as a whole so as to act as (a) a reference framework for the results of all the projects which will be reported separately in a series of research articles once all the results are in and analysed and (b) a useful reference for other researchers wishing to carry out such complex projects and where a comprehensive presentation of the strategy and methodology is unavailable. We offer this protocol for reference, for critique and for inspiration to those following us.
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The neighborhood effect of exposure to blue space on elderly individuals' mental health: A case study in Guangzhou, China. Health Place 2020; 63:102348. [PMID: 32543435 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Within the urban setting, blue space refers to all visible surface waters, including lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. Exposure to the natural environment, especially blue space, has been consistently linked to better mental health. While previous studies have disentangled the positive relationship between neighborhood blue space and mental health, scant attention has been paid to pathways through which neighborhood blue space affects mental health among Chinese urban elderly individuals. Based on questionnaire data collected from Guangzhou in 2018, remote sensing images, street-scapes, and other such sources, we extracted various blue space indicators. We employed multilevel linear regression modeling, mediating effect modeling to examine bio-psychosocial pathways and mechanisms linking exposure to blue space and elderly individuals' mental health. Propensity score matching method was employed to deal with selection bias. According to this empirical analysis, firstly, neighborhood exposure to blue space was significantly associated with elderly individuals' mental health. Secondly, environmental harm reduction, stress reduction, and social contact facilitation played a separate role in mediating the effect of blue space exposure on elderly individuals' mental health. These findings confirm the mediation pathways in the context of Chinese cities. Our research enriches the empirical research on blue space and public health from the perspective of health geography, and suggests the need for "healthy neighborhood" and "health aging" planning in Chinese settings.
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Hooyberg A, Roose H, Grellier J, Elliott LR, Lonneville B, White MP, Michels N, De Henauw S, Vandegehuchte M, Everaert G. General health and residential proximity to the coast in Belgium: Results from a cross-sectional health survey. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 184:109225. [PMID: 32078817 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The health risks of coastal areas have long been researched, but the potential benefits for health are only recently being explored. The present study compared the general health of Belgian citizens a) according to the EU's definition of coastal (<50 km) vs. inland (>50 km), and b) between eight more refined categories of residential proximity to the coast (<5 km to >250 km). Data was drawn from the Belgian Health Interview Survey (n = 60,939) and investigated using linear regression models and mediation analyses on several hypothesized mechanisms. Results indicated that populations living <5 km of the coast reported better general health than populations living at >50-100 km. Four commonly hypothesized mechanisms were considered but no indirect associations were found: scores for mental health, physical activity levels and social contacts were not higher at 0-5 km from the coast, and air pollution (PM10 concentrations) was lower at 0-5 km from the coast but not statistically associated with better health. Results are controlled for typical variables such as age, sex, income, neighbourhood levels of green and freshwater blue space, etc. The spatial urban-rural-nature mosaic at the Belgian coast and alternative explanations are discussed. The positive associations between the ocean and human health observed in this study encourage policy makers to manage coastal areas sustainably to maintain associated public health benefits into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henk Roose
- Department of Sociology, Ghent University (UGent), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - James Grellier
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH), University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Truro, United Kingdom.
| | - Lewis R Elliott
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH), University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Truro, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Mathew P White
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH), University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Truro, United Kingdom.
| | - Nathalie Michels
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University (UGent), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Stefaan De Henauw
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University (UGent), Ghent, Belgium.
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Akaraci S, Feng X, Suesse T, Jalaludin B, Astell-Burt T. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Associations between Green and Blue Spaces and Birth Outcomes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17082949. [PMID: 32344732 PMCID: PMC7215926 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies suggest that green and blue spaces may promote several health outcomes including birth outcomes. However, no synthesis of previous work has specifically asked policy-relevant questions of how much and what type is needed in every neighborhood to elicit these benefits at the population level. A systematic review and meta-analyses were conducted to synthesize thirty-seven studies on the association between residential green and blue spaces and pregnancy outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed for birth weight (BW), small for gestational age (SGA), low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB). Increase in residential greenness was statistically significantly associated with higher BW [β = 0.001, 95%CI: (<0.001, 0.002)] and lower odds of SGA [OR = 0.95, 95%CI: (0.92, 0.97)]. Associations between green space and LBW and PTB were as hypothesized but not statistically significant. Associations between blue spaces and pregnancy outcomes were not evident. No study explicitly examined questions of threshold, though some evidence of nonlinearity indicated that moderate amounts of green space may support more favorable pregnancy outcomes. Policy-relevant green and blue space exposures involving theory-driven thresholds warrant testing to ensure future investments in urban greening promote healthier pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selin Akaraci
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), School of Health and Society, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (S.A.); (X.F.)
| | - Xiaoqi Feng
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), School of Health and Society, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (S.A.); (X.F.)
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing 102206, China
| | - Thomas Suesse
- NIASRA, National Institute for Applied Statistics Research Australia School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia;
| | - Bin Jalaludin
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia;
| | - Thomas Astell-Burt
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), School of Health and Society, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (S.A.); (X.F.)
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing 102206, China
- School of Public Health, Peking Union Medical College and The Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- Correspondence:
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Alcock I, White MP, Pahl S, Duarte-Davidson R, Fleming LE. Associations between pro-environmental behaviour and neighbourhood nature, nature visit frequency and nature appreciation: Evidence from a nationally representative survey in England. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 136:105441. [PMID: 31927464 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Progress on changing human behaviour to meet the challenges of regional and global sustainability has been slow. Building on theory as well as small-scale survey and experimental evidence that exposure to nature may be associated with greater pro-environmentalism, the aim of the current study was to quantify relationships between exposure to nature (operationalised as neighbourhood greenspace, coastal proximity, and recreational nature visits) as well as appreciation of the natural world, and self-reported pro-environmental behaviour for the adult population of England. Using data from a nationally representative sample (N = 24,204), and controlling for potential confounders, a structural equation model was used to estimate relationships. Indirect effects of neighbourhood exposures via nature visits and nature appreciation were accounted for. We found positive relationships between both recreational nature visits and nature appreciation and pro-environmental behaviour across both the whole sample and key socio-demographic groups. The more individuals visited nature for recreation and the more they appreciated the natural world, the more pro-environmental behaviour they reported. Although rural and coastal dwellers tended to also be more pro-environmental on average, patterns were complex, potentially reflecting situational constraints and opportunities. Importantly, positive associations between pro-environmental behaviours and high neighbourhood greenspace and coastal proximity were present for both high and low socio-economic status households. Improving access to, and contact with, nature, e.g., through better urban planning, may be one approach for meeting sustainability targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Alcock
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Mathew P White
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Sabine Pahl
- School of Psychology (Faculty of Health and Human Sciences), University of Plymouth, B219, 22 Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK.
| | - Raquel Duarte-Davidson
- Public Health England Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards (CRCE), Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ, UK.
| | - Lora E Fleming
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK.
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Van Acker E, De Rijcke M, Asselman J, Beck IM, Huysman S, Vanhaecke L, De Schamphelaere KA, Janssen CR. Aerosolizable Marine Phycotoxins and Human Health Effects: In Vitro Support for the Biogenics Hypothesis. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18010046. [PMID: 31936833 PMCID: PMC7024199 DOI: 10.3390/md18010046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory exposure to marine phycotoxins is of increasing concern. Inhalation of sea spray aerosols (SSAs), during harmful Karenia brevis and Ostreopsis ovata blooms induces respiratory distress among others. The biogenics hypothesis, however, suggests that regular airborne exposure to natural products is health promoting via a downregulation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Until now, little scientific evidence supported this hypothesis. The current explorative in vitro study investigated both health-affecting and potential health-promoting mechanisms of airborne phycotoxin exposure, by analyzing cell viability effects via cytotoxicity assays and effects on the mTOR pathway via western blotting. To that end, A549 and BEAS-2B lung cells were exposed to increasing concentrations (ng·L−1–mg·L−1) of (1) pure phycotoxins and (2) an extract of experimental aerosolized homoyessotoxin (hYTX). The lowest cell viability effect concentrations were found for the examined yessotoxins (YTXs). Contradictory to the other phycotoxins, these YTXs only induced a partial cell viability decrease at the highest test concentrations. Growth inhibition and apoptosis, both linked to mTOR pathway activity, may explain these effects, as both YTXs were shown to downregulate this pathway. This proof-of-principle study supports the biogenics hypothesis, as specific aerosolizable marine products (e.g., YTXs) can downregulate the mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Van Acker
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Campus Coupure, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
| | - Maarten De Rijcke
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), InnovOcean site, Wandelaarkaai 7, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Jana Asselman
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Campus Coupure, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Greenbridge, Ghent University, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Ilse M. Beck
- Laboratory for experimental cancer research (LECR), Department for Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Campus UZ, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department Health Sciences, Odisee University College, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steve Huysman
- Laboratory of Chemical Analysis, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Campus Merelbeke, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Lynn Vanhaecke
- Laboratory of Chemical Analysis, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Campus Merelbeke, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Karel A.C. De Schamphelaere
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Campus Coupure, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Colin R. Janssen
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Campus Coupure, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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88
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Anthun KS, Maass REK, Hope S, Espnes GA, Bell R, Khan M, Lillefjell M. Addressing Inequity: Evaluation of an Intervention to Improve Accessibility and Quality of a Green Space. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E5015. [PMID: 31835473 PMCID: PMC6950353 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16245015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Green space areas offer several benefits that support our physical, psychological, and social health. However, the level of engagement with green space areas may not be the same across population groups. Using a mixed-method research design, we investigated the use of a green space area and whether and how the area was beneficial for health, social inclusion, and physical activity for all socioeconomic groups in a suburban area in Norway. The study showed significantly increased use of the area from 2015-2018 and that users belonged to different socioeconomic groups. The motivation for using the area was the opportunity to experience nature and to interact socially. While no significant changes in self-rated health, life satisfaction, or levels of physical activity were found, the study indicates that factors such as location, availability, and designated places for social interaction are important motivating factors for use. Users from the lower socioeconomic groups were among the frequent users but were also the least satisfied with the quality and availability of the path. Our findings call for closer consideration of the location and availability of green spaces and that including places for social interaction and relaxation can contribute to increased use of green spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsti S. Anthun
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway; (R.E.K.M.); (S.H.); (M.L.)
| | - Ruca Elisa Katrin Maass
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway; (R.E.K.M.); (S.H.); (M.L.)
| | - Siren Hope
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway; (R.E.K.M.); (S.H.); (M.L.)
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Center for Health Promotion Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway;
| | - Geir Arild Espnes
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Center for Health Promotion Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway;
| | - Ruth Bell
- Institute of Health Equity, Department for Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London WC1E 7HB, UK; (R.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Matluba Khan
- Institute of Health Equity, Department for Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London WC1E 7HB, UK; (R.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Monica Lillefjell
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway; (R.E.K.M.); (S.H.); (M.L.)
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89
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Pasanen TP, White MP, Wheeler BW, Garrett JK, Elliott LR. Neighbourhood blue space, health and wellbeing: The mediating role of different types of physical activity. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 131:105016. [PMID: 31352260 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that living near blue spaces such as the coast, lakes and rivers may be good for health and wellbeing. Although greater levels of physical activity (PA) may be a potential mechanism, we know little about the types of PA that might account for this. OBJECTIVES To explore the mediating role of: a) 'watersports' (e.g. sailing/canoeing); b) 'on-land outdoor PA' in natural/mixed settings (e.g. walking/running/cycling); and, c) 'indoor/other PA' (e.g. gym/squash) in the relationships between residential blue space availability and health outcomes. METHODS Using data from the Health Survey for England (n = 21,097), we constructed a path model to explore whether weekly volumes of each PA type mediate any of the relationships between residential blue space availability (coastal proximity and presence of freshwater) and self-reported general and mental health, controlling for green space density and a range of socio-economic factors at the individual- and area-level. RESULTS Supporting predictions, living nearer the coast was associated with better self-reported general and mental health and this was partially mediated by on-land outdoor PA (primarily walking). Watersports were more common among those living within 5kms of the coast, but did not mediate associations between coastal proximity and health. Presence of freshwater in the neighbourhood was associated with better mental health, but this effect was not mediated by PA. CONCLUSIONS Although nearby blue spaces offer potentially easier access to watersports, relatively few individuals in England engage in them and thus they do not account for positive population health associations. Rather, the benefits to health from coastal living seem, at least in part, due to participation in land-based outdoor activities (especially walking). Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms behind the relationship between freshwater presence and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tytti P Pasanen
- Faculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, Tampere University, Kalevantie 5, 33014, Finland.
| | - Mathew P White
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, United Kingdom
| | - Benedict W Wheeler
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne K Garrett
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, United Kingdom
| | - Lewis R Elliott
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, United Kingdom
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90
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Garrett JK, Clitherow TJ, White MP, Wheeler BW, Fleming LE. Coastal proximity and mental health among urban adults in England: The moderating effect of household income. Health Place 2019; 59:102200. [PMID: 31582294 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
After adjusting for covariates, self-reported general health in England is higher among populations living closer to the coast, and the association is strongest amongst more deprived groups. We explored whether similar findings were present for mental health using cross-sectional data for urban adults in the Health Survey for England (2008-2012, N ≥25,963). For urban adults, living ≤1 km from the coast, in comparison to >50 km, was associated with better mental health as measured by the GHQ12. Stratification by household income revealed this was only amongst the lowest-earning households, and extended to ≤5 km. Our findings support the contention that, for urban adults, coastal settings may help to reduce health inequalities in England.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne K Garrett
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK.
| | - Theodore J Clitherow
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Mathew P White
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Benedict W Wheeler
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Lora E Fleming
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
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91
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The Influence of Forest Resting Environments on Stress Using Virtual Reality. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16183263. [PMID: 31491931 PMCID: PMC6765889 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16183263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
To explore the effects of different types of forest environments for forest therapy, this study focused on forest resting environments. Seven representative forest resting environments found in field research in Beijing were used as independent variables and were shown to subjects by a virtual reality (VR) video. Stress level was used as the dependent variable, and blood pressure, heart rate, salivary amylase, and the Brief Profile of Mood States (BPOMS) were used as physiological and psychological indicators. A between-subjects design was used in the experiment. A total of 96 subjects were randomly assigned to each environment type, and only one type of forest resting environment was observed. Through the relevant sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance, the pre- and post-test data of the indicators were analyzed. This study found that all the seven different types of forest resting environments can produce stress relief effects to some extent. Different types of forest resting environments have different effects on relieving stress. The most natural environment does not have the most significant effect on stress relief. A water landscape has a positive effect on the relief of stress. The conclusions of this study are conducive to the better use of the forest environment for forest therapy services.
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92
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Burden of Disease in Coastal Areas of South Korea: An Assessment Using Health Insurance Claim Data. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16173044. [PMID: 31443384 PMCID: PMC6747349 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16173044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While measuring and monitoring disease morbidity, it is essential to focus on regions experiencing inequitable health outcomes, especially coastal populations. However, no research investigating population health outcomes in coastal areas has been conducted. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the burden of disease morbidity in coastal areas of South Korea. METHODS Using an administrative division map and the ArcGIS, we identified and included 496 coastal districts. In this observational study, years lived with disability (YLDs) were estimated using incidence-based approaches to calculate the burden of disease in 2015. Incidence and prevalence cases were collected using National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) medical claim data using a specialized algorithm. RESULTS Age-standardized years lived with disability (ASYLDs) in the coastal areas were 24,398 per 100,000 population, which is greater than the 22,613 YLDs observed nationwide. In coastal areas, the burden of disease morbidity was higher in females than in males. Diabetes mellitus was the leading specific disease of total YLDs per 100,000 population, followed by low back pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoarthritis, and ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION In this study, the coastal areas of South Korea carry a higher burden than the national population. Additionally, chronic diseases compose the majority of the health burden in coastal areas. Despite the limitation of data, YLD was the best tool available for evaluating the health outcomes in specific areas, and has the advantage of simplicity and timely analysis.
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93
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Reeves JP, Knight AT, Strong EA, Heng V, Neale C, Cromie R, Vercammen A. The Application of Wearable Technology to Quantify Health and Wellbeing Co-benefits From Urban Wetlands. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1840. [PMID: 31456718 PMCID: PMC6700336 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Improved nature provision in urban environments offers great potential for achieving both biodiversity conservation and public health objectives. Yet there are few experimental studies that address links between specific natural environments and physiological and/or psychological changes that could contribute to the health and wellbeing co-benefits of urban nature. In addition, relative to green space, the salutogenic impact of aquatic environments are understudied. Here, we present a feasibility study examining the use of low-cost wearable technology to quantify the psychophysiological effects of short-term exposure to urban wetlands. The study took place at the WWT London Wetland Centre, which is characterized by its contrasting biodiverse wetland habitat and surrounding urban setting. Thirty-six healthy participants experienced counterbalanced exposures to an indoor space, a wetland, an urban site. We continuously recorded electroencephalographic (EEG) data and real-time physiological stress responses; with additional monitoring of post-exposure self-reported mood states. We found a significant effect of site on mean resting heart rate (HR), with increased HR in the urban setting, although this was only observed in participants with pre-existing high stress. We found no significant differences in other measures of physiological stress responses (heart rate variability and electrodermal activity). The EEG data showed modulation of high beta band activity only in the wetland setting, potentially related to changes in attention. However, the EEG findings were confounded by low quality signals and artifacts caused by movement and environmental interference. Assessments of self-reported mood states demonstrated an increase in positive feelings in the wetland setting. A pronounced decrease in negative feelings in the wetland setting was observed in stressed individuals only. Our results suggest that pre-existing stress levels may be an important modulator of the salutogenic effect of blue-green space. We provide partial support for the hypothesis that exposure to blue-green space promotes stress recovery and for the use of low-cost psychophysiological measurements to quantify the potential stress-reducing effects of blue–green space exposure in urban dwellers. Further technological refinement is required for this approach to become a viable tool to support evidence-based decision-making for public health and green/blue space provision.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew T Knight
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Ascot, United Kingdom.,Department of Botany, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.,The Silwood Group, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily A Strong
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Slimbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Victor Heng
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Slimbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Neale
- Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Ruth Cromie
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Slimbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ans Vercammen
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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94
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Bratman GN, Anderson CB, Berman MG, Cochran B, de Vries S, Flanders J, Folke C, Frumkin H, Gross JJ, Hartig T, Kahn PH, Kuo M, Lawler JJ, Levin PS, Lindahl T, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Mitchell R, Ouyang Z, Roe J, Scarlett L, Smith JR, van den Bosch M, Wheeler BW, White MP, Zheng H, Daily GC. Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaax0903. [PMID: 31355340 PMCID: PMC6656547 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax0903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 439] [Impact Index Per Article: 87.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of empirical evidence is revealing the value of nature experience for mental health. With rapid urbanization and declines in human contact with nature globally, crucial decisions must be made about how to preserve and enhance opportunities for nature experience. Here, we first provide points of consensus across the natural, social, and health sciences on the impacts of nature experience on cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and other dimensions of mental health. We then show how ecosystem service assessments can be expanded to include mental health, and provide a heuristic, conceptual model for doing so.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory N. Bratman
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Center for Creative Conservation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- The Natural Capital Project, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Corresponding author. (G.N.B.); (G.C.D.)
| | - Christopher B. Anderson
- Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marc G. Berman
- Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Grossman Institute for Neuroscience, Quantitative Biology, and Human Behavior, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | | | - Sjerp de Vries
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Jon Flanders
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bat Conservation International, Austin, TX 78746, USA
| | - Carl Folke
- Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Beijer Institute, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Howard Frumkin
- Wellcome Trust, London, UK
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - James J. Gross
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Terry Hartig
- Institute for Housing and Urban Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter H. Kahn
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ming Kuo
- Landscape and Human Health Laboratory, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Joshua J. Lawler
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Center for Creative Conservation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Phillip S. Levin
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Center for Creative Conservation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- The Nature Conservancy, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
| | - Therese Lindahl
- Beijer Institute, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Richard Mitchell
- Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Zhiyun Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jenny Roe
- Center for Design and Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey R. Smith
- Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Matilda van den Bosch
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Benedict W. Wheeler
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Mathew P. White
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Hua Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gretchen C. Daily
- Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- The Natural Capital Project, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Stanford Woods Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Corresponding author. (G.N.B.); (G.C.D.)
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Mavoa S, Davern M, Breed M, Hahs A. Higher levels of greenness and biodiversity associate with greater subjective wellbeing in adults living in Melbourne, Australia. Health Place 2019; 57:321-329. [PMID: 31151090 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Natural environments may be important for subjective wellbeing, yet evidence is sparse and measures of nature are unspecific. We used linear regression models to investigate the relationship between greenness, biodiversity and blue space and subjective wellbeing in 4,912 adults living in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Greenness (overall, private and public) and biodiversity associated with subjective wellbeing. In particular, we highlight the importance of the private greenness-subjective wellbeing association. Our work has implications for urban policy and planning in the context of increased urban densification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Mavoa
- Melbourne School of Population & Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Melanie Davern
- Melbourne School of Population & Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Urban Research, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Martin Breed
- School of Biological Sciences and the Environment Institute, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Amy Hahs
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Urban Ecology in Action, Ballarat, Australia
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97
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Rugel EJ, Carpiano RM, Henderson SB, Brauer M. Exposure to natural space, sense of community belonging, and adverse mental health outcomes across an urban region. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 171:365-377. [PMID: 30716514 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
In a rapidly urbanizing world, identifying evidence-based strategies to support healthy design is essential. Although urban living offers increased access to critical resources and can help to mitigate climate change, densely populated neighborhood environments are often higher in many of the physical and psychological stressors that are detrimental to health, and lower in the social capital that is beneficial to health. One component of urban form that can reduce these stressors and improve social capital is nature: greenspace, such as parks and street trees, and bluespace, such as rivers and oceans. In this project, we applied measures from a Natural Space Index previously developed for the Vancouver, Canada census metropolitan area to explore the relationship between distinct measures of natural space and prevalence of (1) major depressive disorder, (2) negative mental health, and (3) psychological distress. In addition, we examined direct associations between natural space exposure and neighborhood social capital, as measured via self-reported sense of community belonging (SoC), as well as the potential mental health benefits of natural space mediated via SoC. Using data from the population-based, cross-sectional 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health (weighted n = 1,930,048), we found no direct associations between any measure of natural space and mental health in models adjusted for 11 demographic, socioeconomic, household arrangement, health, and urban design variables. However, publicly accessible neighborhood nature was associated with increased odds of higher SoC. A 1% increase in the percentage of natural space (combined greenspace and bluespace) within 500 m had an odds ratio [95% confidence interval] of 1.05 [1.00, 1.10] for very strong vs. very weak SoC and 1.04 [1.01, 1.08] for somewhat strong vs. very weak SoC. In addition, higher levels of SoC were associated with improvements in all three mental health outcomes. Mediation tests indicated significant indirect effects of both publicly accessible neighborhood nature variables on reductions in psychological distress and reduced odds of negative mental health via increased sense of SoC. This suggests that natural space has the potential to address the pressing issue of social isolation and, in turn, poor mental health faced by residents of dense urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Rugel
- School of Population & Public Health, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z9, Canada.
| | - Richard M Carpiano
- School of Public Policy, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Department of Sociology, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Center for Healthy Communities, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Sarah B Henderson
- School of Population & Public Health, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z9, Canada; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, 655 W 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada
| | - Michael Brauer
- School of Population & Public Health, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z9, Canada
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98
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Mohnen SM, Schneider S, Droomers M. Neighborhood characteristics as determinants of healthcare utilization - a theoretical model. HEALTH ECONOMICS REVIEW 2019; 9:7. [PMID: 30840211 PMCID: PMC6734422 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-019-0226-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We propose using neighborhood characteristics as demand-related morbidity adjusters to improve prediction models such as the risk equalization model. RESULTS Since the neighborhood has no explicit 'place' in healthcare demand models, we have developed the "Neighborhood and healthcare utilization model" to show how neighborhoods matter in healthcare utilization. Neighborhood may affect healthcare utilization via (1) the supply-side, (2) need, and (3) demand for healthcare - irrespective of need. Three pathways are examined in detail to explain how neighborhood characteristics influence healthcare utilization via need: the physiological, psychological and behavioral pathways. We underpin this theoretical model with literature on all relevant neighborhood characteristics relating to health and healthcare utilization. CONCLUSION Potential neighborhood characteristics for the risk equalization model include the degree of urbanization, public and open space, resources and facilities, green and blue space, environmental noise, air pollution, social capital, crime and violence, socioeconomic status, stability, and ethnic composition. Air pollution has already been successfully tested as an important predictive variable in a healthcare risk equalization model, and it might be opportune to add more neighborhood characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid M. Mohnen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Nutrition, Prevention, and Health Services, PO Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Sven Schneider
- Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine (MIPH), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mariël Droomers
- Utrecht Municipality, Department of Public Health, PO Box 16200, 3500 CE Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Richardson EA, Shortt NK, Mitchell R, Pearce J. A sibling study of whether maternal exposure to different types of natural space is related to birthweight. Int J Epidemiol 2019; 47:146-155. [PMID: 29253203 PMCID: PMC5837571 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyx258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Birthweight is an important determinant of health across the life course. Maternal exposure to natural space has been linked to higher birthweight, but stronger evidence of a causal link is needed. We use a quasi-experimental sibling study design to investigate if change in the mother’s exposure to natural space between births was related to birthweight, in urban Scotland. Methods Amount (% area) of total natural space, total accessible (public) natural space, parks, woodlands and open water within 100 m of the mother’s postcode was calculated for eligible births (n = 40 194; 1991–2010) in the Scottish Longitudinal Study (a semi-random 5.3% sample of the Scottish population). Associations between natural space and birthweight were estimated, using ordinary least squares and fixed effects models. Results Birthweight was associated with the total amount of natural space around the mother’s home (+8.2 g for interquartile range increase), but was unrelated to specific types of natural space. This whole-sample relationship disappeared in the sibling analysis, indicating residual confounding. The sibling models showed effects for total natural space with births to women who already had children (+20.1 g), and to those with an intermediate level of education (+14.1 g). Conclusions The importance of total natural space for birthweight suggests that benefits can be experienced near to as well as within natural space. Ensuring expectant mothers have good access to high quality neighbourhood natural space has the potential to improve the infant’s start in life, and consequently their health trajectory over the life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Richardson
- National Health Service Health Scotland, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health (CRESH), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK and
| | - Niamh K Shortt
- Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health (CRESH), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK and
| | - Richard Mitchell
- Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health (CRESH), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jamie Pearce
- Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health (CRESH), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK and
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Garrett JK, White MP, Huang J, Ng S, Hui Z, Leung C, Tse LA, Fung F, Elliott LR, Depledge MH, Wong MC. Urban blue space and health and wellbeing in Hong Kong: Results from a survey of older adults. Health Place 2019; 55:100-110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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