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Barak D, Kocoglu M, Jahanger A, Tan M. Testing the EKC hypothesis for ecological and carbon intensity of well-being: The role of forest extent. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 945:173794. [PMID: 38866155 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173794] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The G-20 countries represent a considerable percentage of the global economy and are crucial in matters to do with support for environmental sustainability. The uniqueness of this study lies in determining the effects of forests on human well-being and environmental degradation with respect to G20, offering a unique perspective regarding the efforts to battle climate change. The study analyzed the impact of income, forest extent and education on ecological and carbon intensity of well-being following the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. Based on annual data from 1990 to 2022 and employing the Method of Moments Quantile Regression, the results validate the presence of an inverted U-shaped relationship between GDP and environmental well-being which refers to the existence of EKC. Our results connect improved ecological and carbon intensity of well-being with expanding forest extent and improving education levels. Forest management combined with educational management work as an effective mechanism reducing environmental degradation while also positively contributing to human well-being. In addition, through these informed and rational decisions, policy makers can promote the environmental stability of forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dogan Barak
- Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Bingöl University, Bingöl, Türkiye.
| | - Mustafa Kocoglu
- Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Türkiye; Prague University of Economics and Business, Faculty of Finance and Accounting, W. Churchill sq. 4, Prague 3 130 67, Czech Republic.
| | - Atif Jahanger
- International Business School, Hainan University, Haikou City, Hainan 570228, China; Institute of Open Economy, Hainan University, Hainan province, Haikou, 570228, China.
| | - Muhsin Tan
- Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Bingöl University, Bingöl, Türkiye.
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Jerrett M, Connolly R, Garcia-Gonzales DA, Bekker C, Nguyen JT, Su J, Li Y, Marlier ME. Climate change and public health in California: A structured review of exposures, vulnerable populations, and adaptation measures. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2310081121. [PMID: 39074290 PMCID: PMC11317598 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310081121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
California faces several serious direct and indirect climate exposures that can adversely affect public health, some of which are already occurring. The public health burden now and in the future will depend on atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, underlying population vulnerabilities, and adaptation efforts. Here, we present a structured review of recent literature to examine the leading climate risks to public health in California, including extreme heat, extreme precipitation, wildfires, air pollution, and infectious diseases. Comparisons among different climate-health pathways are difficult due to inconsistencies in study design regarding spatial and temporal scales and health outcomes examined. We find, however, that the current public health burden likely affects thousands of Californians each year, depending on the exposure pathway and health outcome. Further, while more evidence exists for direct and indirect proximal health effects that are the focus of this review, distal pathways (e.g., impacts of drought on nutrition) are more uncertain but could add to this burden. We find that climate adaptation measures can provide significant health benefits, particularly in disadvantaged communities. We conclude with priority recommendations for future analyses and solution-driven policy actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Jerrett
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Rachel Connolly
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Diane A. Garcia-Gonzales
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Claire Bekker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Jenny T. Nguyen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Jason Su
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX76798
| | - Miriam E. Marlier
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
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Zhao J, Ren R, Beeraka NM, PA M, Xue N, Lu P, Bai W, Mao Z, PR HV, Bulygin KV, Nikolenko VN, Fan R, Liu J. Correlation of time trends of air pollutants, greenspaces and tracheal, bronchus and lung cancer incidence and mortality among the adults in United States. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1398679. [PMID: 39119087 PMCID: PMC11306054 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1398679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Tracheal, Bronchus, and Lung (TBL) cancer continues to represent the majority of cancer-related incidence and mortality in United States (U.S.). While air pollutants are considered essential risk factors, both global and national average concentrations of major harmful air pollutants have significantly decreased over the decades. Green space may have a beneficial effect on human health. Methods We obtained data on national and state-level burden of TBL cancer, the annual average concentration of main air pollutants, and levels of green spaces in 2007, 2013, and 2019. According to generalized estimating equation (GEE), we examine the associations among incidence and mortality of TBL cancer, air pollutants, and greenspaces, represented by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in different age groups with models adjusted with meteorological, and socio-demographic. We observed additional effects of the interaction between the NDVI, Ozone, PM2.5, and other factors, which helped us to interpret and understand our results. Also, we collated states that witnessed net increments in forest coverage and conducted the same analysis separately. Results In our analysis, the majority of associations between NDVI and air pollutants with TBL cancer remained significantly positive, particularly noticeable among individuals aged 20 to 54. However, our findings did not explore air pollution as a potential mediator between greenspace exposure and TBL cancer. While the associations of PM2.5 with TBL cancer remained positive, the other four pollutants showed positive but statistically insignificant associations. Our interaction analysis yielded that there were positive associations between NDVI and ozone, PM2.5, and tobacco use. Max NDVI acts as a protective factor along with high HDI. Additionally, PM2.5 and HDI also showed a negative association. In 18 states with more forest, NDVI acts as a protective factor along with higher health care coverage, better health status, and participation in physical activities. Conclusion In the state-level of U.S., the effects of total greenspace with TBL cancer are mixed and could be modified by various socio-economic factors. PM2.5 has a direct correlation with TBL cancer and the effects can be influenced by underlying socioeconomic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruihang Ren
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Narasimha M. Beeraka
- Department of Pharmacology, Raghavendra Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (RIPER), Andhra Pradesh, Ananthapuramu, India
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Mahesh PA
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysuru, Karnataka, India
| | - Nannan Xue
- Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) and CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pengfei Lu
- Cancer Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Wenhua Bai
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhihan Mao
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hemanth Vikram PR
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysuru, Karnataka, India
| | - Kirill V. Bulygin
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir N. Nikolenko
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Ruitai Fan
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Junqi Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Dai Z, Lee SY, Sharma S, Ullah S, Tan ECK, Brodaty H, Schutte AE, Sachdev PS. A systematic review of diet and medication use among centenarians and near-centenarians worldwide. GeroScience 2024:10.1007/s11357-024-01247-4. [PMID: 38967696 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01247-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Centenarians represent a phenomenon of successful aging. This systematic review aimed to understand lifestyles and health practices, focusing on diet and medication use for healthy longevity in community-based adults 95 years or over. Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and gray literature were searched from 1 January 2000 to 10 December 2022. Study quality was assessed using the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (mNOS). Pooled prevalence [%; 95% confidence interval] for categorical variables and pooled mean for continuous variables were estimated for demographics, weight status, lifestyle factors, medications, and health conditions. Of 3392 records screened, 34 studies were included in the review, and 71% (24/34) met the 6/8 criteria in mNOS. Centenarians/near-centenarians' ages ranged from 95 to 118 years, with 75% (71-78%) female and 78% (68-88%) living in rural areas. They had an overall healthy lifestyle: current smoking (7%; 5-9%), drinking (23%; 17-30%), normal weight (52%; 42-61%), overweight (14%; 8-20%), physical activity (23%; 20-26%), and sleep satisfaction (68%; 65-72%). Diet averaged 59.6% carbohydrate, 18.5% protein, and 29.3% fat; over 60% consumed a diverse diet, and < 20% preferred salty food, contributing to lower mortality risks and functional decline. About half used antihypertensives (49%; 14-84%) or other cardiovascular drugs (48%; 24-71%), with an average of 4.6 medications. Common health issues included impaired basic activities of daily living (54%; 33-74%), hypertension (43%; 21-65%), and dementia (41%; 23-59%). The findings of this systemic review underscore the pivotal role of dietary practice and weight management in healthcare strategies to promote healthy ageing. It also recognises rural living styles and sleep hygiene as potential factors contributing to healthy longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoli Dai
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
- UNSW Ageing Futures Institute, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Sue Yi Lee
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Srishti Sharma
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Shahid Ullah
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Edwin C K Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Henry Brodaty
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Aletta E Schutte
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Perminder S Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Ordóñez C, Kendal D, Davern M, Conway T. Having a tree in front of one's home is associated with GREATER subjective wellbeing in adult residents in Melbourne, Australia, and Toronto, Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 250:118445. [PMID: 38360163 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118445] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
While urban trees can be important determinants of human health and wellbeing in world cities, the specific influence of nearby urban trees upon human wellbeing has not been adequately explored. While many studies have associated urban greenery abundance with wellbeing scores, many measures of urban greenery do not specify the type of vegetation or the impact of co-location. Here we fill this gap by associating self-reported measures of the presence of nearby trees (tree in front of one's home) with validated subjective wellbeing (SWB) scores. We also tested for the mediating role of what people thought about trees and nature, with a focus on the values people associate with urban trees and nature relatedness (NR). We used electronic panel survey data based on a demographic and geographical representative sample of more than 3400 residents living in Toronto, Canada, and Melbourne, Australia. We analysed these data using regression-based mediation and path analyses. We found that having a tree in front of one's home was strongly and positively associated with SWB scores in both cities with similar results (Melbourne, β = 0.17, p < 0.05; Toronto, β = 0.18, p < 0.05), while accounting for NR, values associated with urban trees, and demographics (e.g., age, education, home ownership). The mediating role of NR and values was small. The specific pathways of association between tree in front of one's home, SWB, NR, and values, varied by city, when accounting for demographics. We discuss how increasing the abundance of nearby urban trees in cities may also increase human wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Ordóñez
- Department of Geography, Geomatics and Environment, University of Toronto at Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada; School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, Burnley campus, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, 500 Yarra Boulevard, Richmond, Victoria, 3121, Australia.
| | - Dave Kendal
- Future in Nature Pty Ltd, Australia; Melbourne School of Design, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Melanie Davern
- Health Place and Society, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Tenley Conway
- Department of Geography, Geomatics and Environment, University of Toronto at Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
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Wei D, Lu Y, Wu X, Ho HC, Wu W, Song J, Wang Y. Greenspace exposure may increase life expectancy of elderly adults, especially for those with low socioeconomic status. Health Place 2023; 84:103142. [PMID: 37989007 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
With an increasing aging population in many cities worldwide, promoting and maintaining the health of elderly individuals has become a pressing public health issue. Although greenspaces may deliver many health outcomes for the elderly population, existing evidence remains inconsistent, partly due to discrepancies in the measure of greenspace and health outcomes. In addition, few studies examined the effect of greenspace exposure on life expectancy at the individual level. Thus, this study comprehensively investigated the association between greenspace exposure and life expectancy among elderly adults in Guangzhou, China, based on the individual-level mortality dataset. The data were analyzed at both the individual level and aggregate level, and two types of buffers (straight-line vs. street-network buffer) were used to define individual greenspace exposure. After controlling for the random effects and multiple types of covariates, we found that 1) elderly individuals with higher greenspace exposure were associated with an increased life expectancy; 2) elderly individuals with lower socioeconomic status benefit more from greenspace (i.e., equigenesis hypothesis); 3) different greenspace measurements lead to different results; 4) greenspace had the highest effects on life expectancy and equigenesis within the street-network buffer distances of 3000 m and 2500 m, respectively. This study underscores the potential health benefits of greenspace exposure on elderly individuals and the importance of provision and upkeep of greenspace, especially among socially disadvantaged groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wei
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Hubei Engineering and Technology Research Center of Urbanization, Wuhan, China; Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Xueying Wu
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Hung Chak Ho
- Department of Public and International Affairs, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Wenjie Wu
- School of Economics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jinglu Song
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Yuan Wang
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Hubei Engineering and Technology Research Center of Urbanization, Wuhan, China.
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Sahani J, Kumar P, Debele SE. Efficacy assessment of green-blue nature-based solutions against environmental heat mitigation. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 179:108187. [PMID: 37699297 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108187] [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: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Nature-based solutions (NBS) such as green (vegetation) and blue (waterbodies) infrastructure are being promoted as cost-effective and sustainable strategies for managing the heatwaves risks, but long-term monitoring evidence is needed to support their implementation. This work aims to conduct a comparative assessment of the cooling efficiency of green (woodland and grassland) and blue (waterbody) NBS in contrast to a built-up area. Over a year of continuous fixed monitoring showed that the average daily maximum temperatures at NBS locations were 2-3 °C (up-to 15%) lower than the built-up area. Woodland showed the maximum temperature reduction in almost all seasons, followed by waterbody and grassland. NBS performed the best during the summers, peak sunshine, and heatwave hours (up to ∼ 6 °C cooler than built-up area). Using an e-bike for mobile monitoring, the areas where green-blue NBS were combined showed the highest spatial cooling extent, followed by waterbody, woodland, and grassland areas. The database generated can validate city-scale environmental models and assist city planners to incorporate NBS into urban dwellings based on the opportunity, need and scope, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and 13 (climate action).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeetendra Sahani
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom; Institute for Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, Surrey, United Kingdom.
| | - Sisay E Debele
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
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