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Jennings V, Rigolon A, Thompson J, Murray A, Henderson A, Gragg RS. The Dynamic Relationship between Social Cohesion and Urban Green Space in Diverse Communities: Opportunities and Challenges to Public Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:800. [PMID: 38929046 PMCID: PMC11204079 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Social cohesion is a key factor within social determinants of health and well-being. Urban green spaces can provide environments that potentially facilitate meaningful and positive social interactions that promote social cohesion, equity, human health, and well-being. However, the lack of integration of existing research on social cohesion, urban green spaces, and public health in diverse (e.g., racially and ethnically) communities limits culturally relevant strategies to address health disparities. In this manuscript, we synthesize research on the potential of urban green spaces to promote social cohesion and public health in historically excluded communities. Particularly, we explore the development of social cohesion as it relates to the social environment, built environment, leisure opportunities, green space maintenance, safety, and green gentrification. We highlight key factors and their application to meet opportunities and challenges to social and public health. A conceptual framework is presented to provide an overview and illustrate connections found in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viniece Jennings
- School of the Environment, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA;
| | - Alessandro Rigolon
- Department City and Metropolitan Planning, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jasmine Thompson
- Department of Public Health, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA 30030, USA
| | - Athena Murray
- Department of Public Health, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA 30030, USA
| | - Ariel Henderson
- Department of Public Health, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA 30030, USA
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Moss L, Wu K, Tucker A, Durbin-Matrone R, Roude GD, Francois S, Richardson L, Theall KP. A Qualitative Exploration of the Built Environment as a Key Mechanism of Safety and Social Cohesion for Youth in High-Violence Communities. J Urban Health 2024; 101:620-628. [PMID: 38609700 PMCID: PMC11189865 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-024-00861-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The characteristics of a neighborhood's built environment may influence health-promoting behaviors, interactions between neighbors, and perceptions of safety. Although some research has reported on how youth in high-violence communities navigate danger, less work has investigated how these youth perceive the built environment, their desires for these spaces, and how these desires relate to their conceptions of safety and perceptions of other residents. To fill this gap, this study used focus group data from 51 youth ages 13-24 living in New Orleans, Louisiana. Four themes were developed using reflexive thematic analysis: community violence is distressing and disruptive, youth use and want to enjoy their neighborhood, systemic failure contributes to negative outcomes, and resources and cooperation create safety. This analysis indicates that young people desire to interact with the built environment despite the threat of community violence. They further identified built environment assets that facilitate socialization and recreation, such as local parks, and social assets in the form of cooperation and neighbor-led civic engagement initiatives. In addition, the youth participants demonstrated awareness of structural inequities that influence neighborhood health and violence-related outcomes. This study contributes to efforts to understand how youth with high levels of community violence exposure understand and interact with the built and social environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lolita Moss
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.
| | - Kimberly Wu
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Amber Tucker
- Violence Prevention Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Reanna Durbin-Matrone
- Partners for Advancing Health Equity, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Katherine P Theall
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Chen Y, Hu Y, Li R, Kang W, Zhao A, Lu R, Yin Y, Tong S, Yuan J, Li S. Association of residential greenness with chronotype among children. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:166011. [PMID: 37541519 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between residential greenness and chronotype remains unclear, especially among children. The current study aimed to explore the associations between residential greenness and chronotype parameters in children and examine potential pathways for these associations. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 16,421 children ages 3-12 were included. Two satellite-derived vegetation indices, i.e., the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), were used to estimate residential greenness. The mid-sleep point on a workday (MSW) and the mid-sleep point on free days (MSF) were considered. And mid-sleep time on free days adjusted for sleep debt (MSFsc) was used as an indicator of chronotype. In addition to multivariable linear regression models, subgroup analyses were conducted to explore effect modifiers, and mediation analyses were used to explore possible mediating mechanisms of air pollutants underlying the associations. RESULTS An interquartile range (IQR) increase in both NDVI500-m and EVI500-m was significantly associated with an earlier MSFsc of -0.061 (95 % confidence interval (CI): -0.072, -0.049) and -0.054 (95 % CI: -0.066, -0.042), respectively. Non-linear dose response relationships were discovered between greenness indices and MSFsc and MSF. The results of stratified analyses showed the effect of residential greenness on MSW was stronger among primary school children and individuals with higher household income than among kindergarten children and those with lower household income. The joint mediation effects of PM2.5, PM1, PM10, NO2, and SO2 on the associations of NDVI500-m and EVI500-m with MSFsc were 89.6 % and 76.0 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of residential greenness may have beneficial effects on an earlier chronotype in the child population, by reducing the effects of air pollutants, especially PM2.5. Our research hopes to promote the deployment of green infrastructure and healthy urban design strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Chen
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yabin Hu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Li
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhui Kang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Anda Zhao
- Department of Nutrition, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruoyu Lu
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Yin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shilu Tong
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Jiajun Yuan
- Child Health Advocacy Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shenghui Li
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Chau JY, Dharmayani PNA, Little H. Navigating Neighbourhood Opposition and Climate Change: Feasibility and Acceptability of a Play Street Pilot in Sydney, Australia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2476. [PMID: 36767843 PMCID: PMC9916153 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Play Streets are community-led initiatives that provide opportunities for outdoor play and recreation when parks or other facilities may not be easily accessible. This pragmatic evaluation aims to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a pilot Play Street in Inner West Sydney. METHODS We used a post-only mixed methods design. Brief intercept surveys with pilot Play Street visitors assessed their reasons for attending the event and perceptions thereof. Semi-structured interviews explored stakeholders' experiences related to planning and implementing Play Streets. RESULTS Approximately 60 adults and children attended the pilot Play Street. The majority of survey respondents (n = 32) were female, aged 35-54, lived in the Play Street's postcode, and visited in groups consisting of adults and children. Overall respondents rated the pilot positively in enjoyment (100%), safety (97%), and organisation (81%), although there were significant differences between certain demographic subgroups in the perception of organisation and the children's enjoyment of the pilot Play Street. Stakeholder interviews (n = 2) highlighted the importance of community consultation and reaching compromises, noting concerns about safety and insurance costs, and emphasised the role of Council as a facilitator to help residents take ownership of Play Streets. Delays due to community concerns, poor air quality arising from bushfires, heavy rain on the event day, and COVID-19 lockdowns hindered pilot Play Street implementation and evaluation. CONCLUSION This pilot demonstrated that Play Streets are a feasible and acceptable way to use streets as outdoor recreation spaces in Sydney's Inner West. The evaluation highlights two elements for future sustainability: managing neighbourhood opposition and adapting to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Y. Chau
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Putu Novi Arfirsta Dharmayani
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Helen Little
- School of Education, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW 2109, Australia
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