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Michael YL, Senerat AM, Buxbaum C, Ezeanyagu U, Hughes TM, Hayden KM, Langmuir J, Besser LM, Sánchez B, Hirsch JA. Systematic Review of Longitudinal Evidence and Methodologies for Research on Neighborhood Characteristics and Brain Health. Public Health Rev 2024; 45:1606677. [PMID: 38596450 PMCID: PMC11002187 DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2024.1606677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: Synthesize longitudinal research evaluating neighborhood environments and cognition to identify methodological approaches, findings, and gaps. Methods: Included studies evaluated associations between neighborhood and cognition longitudinally among adults >45 years (or mean age of 65 years) living in developed nations. We extracted data on sample characteristics, exposures, outcomes, methods, overall findings, and assessment of disparities. Results: Forty studies met our inclusion criteria. Most (65%) measured exposure only once and a majority focused on green space and/or blue space (water), neighborhood socioeconomic status, and recreation/physical activity facilities. Similarly, over half studied incident impairment, cognitive function or decline (70%), with one examining MRI (2.5%) or Alzheimer's disease (7.5%). While most studies used repeated measures analysis to evaluate changes in the brain health outcome (51%), many studies did not account for any type of correlation within neighborhoods (35%). Less than half evaluated effect modification by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and/or sex/gender. Evidence was mixed and dependent on exposure or outcome assessed. Conclusion: Although longitudinal research evaluating neighborhood and cognitive decline has expanded, gaps remain in types of exposures, outcomes, analytic approaches, and sample diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne L. Michael
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Araliya M. Senerat
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Channa Buxbaum
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ugonwa Ezeanyagu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Timothy M. Hughes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Kathleen M. Hayden
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Julia Langmuir
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lilah M. Besser
- Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Brisa Sánchez
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jana A. Hirsch
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Finlay J, Westrick AC, Guzman V, Meltzer G. Neighborhood Built Environments and Health in Later Life: A Literature Review. J Aging Health 2023:8982643231217776. [PMID: 37994863 PMCID: PMC11111591 DOI: 10.1177/08982643231217776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: This literature review aims to assess the current state of the field linking neighborhood environments to later-life health and wellbeing. Methods: We used electronic databases (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar, and ProQuest) to search for studies published between 2010 and 2022 examining associations between neighborhood built environmental variables and later-life physical, cognitive, mental, and social health outcomes. Results: Among 168 studies reviewed, the majority were quantitative (n = 144) and cross-sectional (n = 122). Neighborhood environmental variables significantly associated with later-life health outcomes included population density/rurality, walkability/street connectivity, access to services and amenities, neighborhood quality and disorder, and parks/green/blue/open space. Neighborhoods operated through behavioral and biological pathways including hazardous exposures, affective states (e.g., stress and restoration), and lifestyle (e.g., exercise, socialization, and diet). Discussion: Neighborhoods and healthy aging research is a burgeoning interdisciplinary and international area of scholarship. Findings can inform upstream community interventions and strengthen clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Finlay
- Department of Geography, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Social Environment and Health Program, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ashly C. Westrick
- Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Viveka Guzman
- Department of Health Psychology, School of Population Health, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gabriella Meltzer
- Departments of Environmental Health and Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, NY, USA
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Song J, Gasparrini A, Fischer T, Hu K, Lu Y. Effect Modifications of Overhead-View and Eye-Level Urban Greenery on Heat-Mortality Associations: Small-Area Analyses Using Case Time Series Design and Different Greenery Measurements. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:97007. [PMID: 37728899 PMCID: PMC10510815 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The protective effect of urban greenery from adverse heat impacts remains inconclusive. Existing inconsistent findings could be attributed to the different estimation techniques used. OBJECTIVES We investigated how effect modifications of urban greenery on heat-mortality associations vary when using different greenery measurements reflecting overhead-view and eye-level urban greenery. METHODS We collected meteorological and daily mortality data for 286 territory planning units between 2005 and 2018 in Hong Kong. Three greenery measurements were extracted for each unit: a) the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from Landsat remote sensing images, b) the percentage of greenspace based on land use data, and c) eye-level street greenery from street view images via a deep learning technique. Time-series analyses were performed using the case time series design with a linear interaction between the temperature term and each of the three greenery measurements. Effect modifications were also estimated for different age groups, sex categories, and cause-specific diseases. RESULTS Higher mortality risks were associated with both moderate and extreme heat, with relative risks (RRs) of 1.022 (95% CI: 1.000, 1.044) and 1.045 (95% CI: 1.013, 1.079) at the 90th and 99th percentiles of temperatures relative to the minimum mortality temperature (MMT). Lower RRs were observed in greener areas whichever of the three greenery measurements was used, but the disparity of RRs between areas with low and high levels of urban greenery was more apparent when using eye-level street greenery as the index at high temperatures (99th percentile relative to MMT), with RRs for low and high levels of greenery, respectively, of 1.096 (95% CI: 1.035, 1.161) and 0.985 (95% CI: 0.920, 1.055) for NDVI (p = 0.0193 ), 1.068 (95% CI: 1.021, 1.117) and 0.990 (95% CI: 0.906, 1.081) for the percentage of greenspace (p = 0.1338 ), and 1.103 (95% CI: 1.034, 1.177) and 0.943 (95% CI: 0.841, 1.057) for eye-level street greenery (p = 0.0186 ). Health discrepancies remained for nonaccidental mortality and cardiorespiratory diseases and were more apparent for older adults (≥ 65 years of age) and females. DISCUSSION This study provides new evidence that eye-level street greenery shows stronger associations with reduced heat-mortality risks compared with overhead-view greenery based on NDVI and percentage of greenspace. The effect modification of urban greenery tends to be amplified as temperatures rise and are more apparent in older adults and females. Heat mitigation strategies and health interventions, in particular with regard to accessible and visible greenery, are needed for helping heat-sensitive subpopulation groups in coping with extreme heat. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12589.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglu Song
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Antonio Gasparrini
- Department of Public Health, Environment and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Thomas Fischer
- Environmental Assessment and Management Research Centre, Department of Geography and Planning, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Research Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Kejia Hu
- Institute of Big Data in Health Science, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
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Li F, Liu W, Hu C, Tang M, Zhang Y, Ho HC, Peng S, Li Z, Wang Q, Li X, Xu B, Li F. Global association of greenness exposure with risk of nervous system disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 877:162773. [PMID: 36933739 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Nervous system disease (NSD) is a global health burden with increasing prevalence in the last 30 years. There is evidence that greenness can improve nervous system health through a variety of mechanisms; however, the evidence is inconsistent. In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, we examined the relationship between greenness exposure and NSD outcomes. Studies on the relationship between greenness and NSD health outcomes published till July 2022 were searched in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. In addition, we searched the cited literature and updated our search on Jan 20, 2023, to identify any new studies. We included human epidemiological studies that assess the association of greenness exposure with the risk of NSD. Greenness exposure was measured using NDVI (the normalized difference vegetation index) and the outcome was the mortality or morbidity of NSD. The pooled relative risks (RRs) were estimated using a random effects model. Of 2059 identified studies, 15 studies were included in our quantitative evaluation, in which 11 studies found a significant inverse relationship between the risk of NSD mortality or incidence/prevalence and an increase in surrounding greenness. The pooled RRs for cerebrovascular diseases (CBVD), neurodegenerative diseases (ND), and stroke mortality were 0.98 (95 % CI: 0.97, 1.00), 0.98 (95 % CI: 0.98, 0.99), and 0.96 (95 % CI: 0.93, 1.00), respectively. The pooled RRs for PD incidence and stroke prevalence/incidence were 0.89 (95 % CI: 0.78, 1.02) and 0.98 (95 % CI: 0.97, 0.99), respectively. The confidence of evidence for ND mortality, stroke mortality, and stroke prevalence/incidence was downgraded to "low", while CBVD mortality and PD incidence were downgraded to "very low" due to inconsistency. We found no evidence of publication bias and the sensitivity analysis results of all subgroups are robust except for the stroke mortality subgroup. This is the first comprehensive meta-analysis of greenness exposure and NSD outcomes in which an inverse relationship was observed. It is necessary to conduct further research to ascertain the role greenness exposure plays in various NSDs and the management of greenness should be considered a public health strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangzheng Li
- School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Art, Qufu Normal University, Rizhao 276826, China
| | - Chengyang Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Mingcheng Tang
- School of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Yunquan Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Hung Chak Ho
- Department of Anaesthesiology, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Shijia Peng
- Charles Davis's Lab Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Zhouyuan Li
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Qing Wang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health/National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xiong Li
- School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, 10084 Beijing, China
| | - Fengyi Li
- School of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
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5
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Wilker EH, Osman M, Weisskopf MG. Ambient air pollution and clinical dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2023; 381:e071620. [PMID: 37019461 PMCID: PMC10498344 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-071620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of air pollutants in risk of dementia, considering differences by study factors that could influence findings. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, Psycinfo, and OVID Medline from database inception through July 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES Studies that included adults (≥18 years), a longitudinal follow-up, considered US Environmental Protection Agency criteria air pollutants and proxies of traffic pollution, averaged exposure over a year or more, and reported associations between ambient pollutants and clinical dementia. Two authors independently extracted data using a predefined data extraction form and assessed risk of bias using the Risk of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Exposures (ROBINS-E) tool. A meta-analysis with Knapp-Hartung standard errors was done when at least three studies for a given pollutant used comparable approaches. RESULTS 2080 records identified 51 studies for inclusion. Most studies were at high risk of bias, although in many cases bias was towards the null. 14 studies could be meta-analysed for particulate matter <2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5). The overall hazard ratio per 2 μg/m3 PM2.5 was 1.04 (95% confidence interval 0.99 to 1.09). The hazard ratio among seven studies that used active case ascertainment was 1.42 (1.00 to 2.02) and among seven studies that used passive case ascertainment was 1.03 (0.98 to 1.07). The overall hazard ratio per 10 μg/m3 nitrogen dioxide was 1.02 ((0.98 to 1.06); nine studies) and per 10 μg/m3 nitrogen oxide was 1.05 ((0.98 to 1.13); five studies). Ozone had no clear association with dementia (hazard ratio per 5 μg/m3 was 1.00 (0.98 to 1.05); four studies). CONCLUSION PM2.5 might be a risk factor for dementia, as well as nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide, although with more limited data. The meta-analysed hazard ratios are subject to limitations that require interpretation with caution. Outcome ascertainment approaches differ across studies and each exposure assessment approach likely is only a proxy for causally relevant exposure in relation to clinical dementia outcomes. Studies that evaluate critical periods of exposure and pollutants other than PM2.5, and studies that actively assess all participants for outcomes are needed. Nonetheless, our results can provide current best estimates for use in burden of disease and regulatory setting efforts. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42021277083.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissa H Wilker
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Environmental Heath, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marwa Osman
- Department of Environmental Heath, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marc G Weisskopf
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Environmental Heath, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Liu T, Zhou Y, Wei J, Chen Q, Xu R, Pan J, Lu W, Wang Y, Fan Z, Li Y, Xu L, Cui X, Shi C, Zhang L, Chen X, Bao W, Sun H, Liu Y. Association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and dementia mortality in Chinese adults. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 849:157860. [PMID: 35934025 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Short-term exposure to ambient air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of mortality from a variety of causes, but its effects on mortality from dementia remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and dementia mortality, and quantitatively assess the excess mortality. METHODS In this time-stratified case-crossover study, 47,108 dementia deaths were identified in Jiangsu province, China during 2015-2019. Exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5), PM10, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) was assessed by extracting daily concentrations from a validated grid dataset based on each subject's residential address. Conditional logistic regression models were applied for exposure-response analyses. RESULTS There were 47,108 case days and 159,852 control days during the study period. Each 10 μg/m3 increase of lag 04-day exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 was significantly associated with a 1.43 % (95 % CI: 0.77, 2.09 %), 1.06 % (0.59, 1.54 %), and 2.80 % (1.51, 4.10 %) increase in odds of dementia mortality, corresponding to an excess mortality of 4.87 %, 5.50 %, and 6.43 %, respectively. We estimated that reducing ambient air pollutant exposures to the WHO air quality guidelines would avoid up to 4.17 % of the dementia deaths, while the ambient air quality standards in China would only help avoid up to 0.39 %. CONCLUSIONS This study provides consistent evidence that short-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 is associated with increased odds of dementia mortality, which can be translated to a considerable excess mortality. Our findings highlight a potential approach to prevent deaths from dementia by reducing individual exposures to ambient air pollution, especially in areas with high levels of ambient air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Yun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
| | - Qi Chen
- Department of Environment and Health, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China
| | - Ruijun Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Jingju Pan
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Wenfeng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, China
| | - Yaqi Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Zhaoyu Fan
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Yingxin Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Luxi Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xiuqing Cui
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Chunxiang Shi
- Meteorological Data Laboratory, National Meteorological Information Center, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Xi Chen
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wei Bao
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Environment and Health, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China.
| | - Yuewei Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
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Perceived Qualities, Visitation and Felt Benefits of Preferred Nature Spaces during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia: A Nationally-Representative Cross-Sectional Study of 2940 Adults. LAND 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/land11060904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We investigated how the perceived quality of natural spaces influenced levels of visitation and felt benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia via a nationally representative online and telephone survey conducted on 12–26 October (Social Research Centre’s Life in AustraliaTM panel aged > 18 years, 78.8% response, n = 3043). Our sample was restricted to those with complete information (n = 2940). Likert scale responses to 18 statements regarding the quality of local natural spaces that participants preferred to visit were classified into eight quality domains: access; aesthetics; amenities; facilities; incivilities; potential usage; safety; and social. These domains were then summed into an overall nature quality score (mean = 5.8, range = 0–16). Associations between these quality variables and a range of nature visitation and felt benefits were tested using weighted multilevel models, adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic confounders. Compared with participants in the lowest perceived nature quality quintile, those in the highest quality quintile had higher odds of spending at least 2 h in their preferred local nature space in the past week (Odds Ratio [OR] = 3.40; 95% Confidence Interval [95%CI] = 2.38–4.86), of visiting their preferred nature space almost every day in the past four weeks (OR = 3.90; 2.77–5.47), and of reporting increased levels of nature visitation in comparison with before the COVID-19 pandemic (OR = 3.90; 2.54–6.00). Participants in the highest versus lowest perceived nature quality quintile also reported higher odds of feeling their visits to nature enabled them to take solace and respite during the pandemic (OR = 9.49; 6.73–13.39), to keep connected with their communities (OR = 5.30; 3.46–8.11), and to exercise more often than they did before the pandemic (OR = 3.88; 2.57–5.86). Further analyses of each quality domain indicated time in and frequency of visiting nature spaces were most affected by potential usage and safety (time in nature was also influenced by the level of amenity). Feelings of connection and solace were most affected by potential usage and social domains. Exercise was most influenced by potential usage, social and access domains. In conclusion, evidence reported in this study indicates that visits to nature and various health-related benefits associated with it during the COVID-19 pandemic were highly contingent upon numerous qualities of green and blue spaces.
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Röhr S, Rodriguez FS, Siemensmeyer R, Müller F, Romero-Ortuno R, Riedel-Heller SG. How can urban environments support dementia risk reduction? A qualitative study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2022; 37. [PMID: 34571579 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Interventions to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia largely focus on individual-level strategies. To maximize risk reduction, it is also necessary to consider the environment. With the majority of older people living in cities, we explored how urban environments could support risk reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS In our qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with community members aged ≥65 years and stakeholders, all living in Leipzig, Germany. Interview guides were informed by the framework on modifiable risk factors for dementia of the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care. Interviews were audio-recorded, verbatim-transcribed, and thematically analysed. RESULTS Community members (n = 10) were M = 73.7 (SD = 6.0) years old and 50% were women. Stakeholders (n = 10) were aged 39-72 years, and 70% were women. Stakeholders' fields included architecture, cultural/arts education, environmental sciences, geriatrics, health policy, information and technology, philosophy, psychology, public health, and urban sociology. Across interviews with both older individuals and stakeholders, three main themes were identified: (i) social participation and inclusion (emphasizing social contacts, social housing, intergenerationality, neighbourhood assistance, information and orientation, digital and technological literacy, lifelong learning, co-creation/co-design), (ii) proximity and accessibility (emphasizing proximity and reachability, mobility, affordability, access to health care, access to cultural events, public toilets), (iii) local recreation and wellbeing (emphasizing safety in traffic, security, cleanliness and environmental protection, urban greenery, climate change and heat waves, outdoor physical activity). DISCUSSION The design of urban environments holds large potential to create favourable conditions for community-dwelling individuals to practice lifestyles that promote brain health. Public policy should involve community members in co-creating such environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Röhr
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Francisca S Rodriguez
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rosa Siemensmeyer
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Felix Müller
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roman Romero-Ortuno
- Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine, Discipline of Medical Gerontology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Steffi G Riedel-Heller
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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9
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Zagnoli F, Filippini T, Jimenez MP, Wise LA, Hatch EE, Vinceti M. Is Greenness Associated with Dementia? A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:574-590. [PMID: 35857243 PMCID: PMC9729322 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00365-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We assessed the relation between environmental greenness and risk of dementia and cognitive impairment, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis up to March 30, 2022, characterizing whenever possible the shape of the association using dose-response meta-analysis. RECENT FINDINGS Twelve studies were included in this review, either using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) or land use/cover (LU/LC) methodology to assess greenness. Comparing the highest versus lowest exposure categories of greenness assessed using the NDVI (6 studies) or LU/LC (6 studies), we found no association with dementia. Dose-response meta-analysis of the association between greenness measured by LU/LC and dementia, based on only 3 studies, indicated a U-shaped association, but estimates were imprecise. Our systematic review and meta-analysis provided some evidence of a slight inverse association between greenness and dementia at intermediate exposure levels, but not at high levels. Potential methodological limitations, such as exposure misclassification and unmeasured confounding, may have affected the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Zagnoli
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School, 287 Via Campi, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Tommaso Filippini
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School, 287 Via Campi, 41125 Modena, Italy ,School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94704 USA
| | - Marcia P. Jimenez
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118 USA
| | - Lauren A. Wise
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118 USA
| | - Elizabeth E. Hatch
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118 USA
| | - Marco Vinceti
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School, 287 Via Campi, 41125 Modena, Italy ,Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118 USA
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10
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Ho HC, Guo H, Chan TC, Shi Y, Webster C, Fong KNK. Community planning for a "healthy built environment" via a human-environment nexus? A multifactorial assessment of environmental characteristics and age-specific stroke mortality in Hong Kong. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132043. [PMID: 34543905 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
With the prevalence of stroke rising due to both aging societies and more people getting strokes at a younger age, a comprehensive investigation into the relationship between urban characteristics and age-specific stroke mortality for the development of a healthy built environment is necessary. Specifically, assessment of various dimensions of urban characteristics (e.g. short-term environmental change, long-term environmental conditions) is needed for healthy built environment designs and protocols. A multifactorial assessment was conducted to evaluate associations between environmental and sociodemographic characteristics with age-stroke mortality in Hong Kong. We found that short-term (and temporally varying) daily PM10, older age and being female were more strongly associated with all types of stroke deaths compared to all-cause deaths in general. Colder days, being employed and being married were more strongly associated with hemorrhagic stroke deaths in general. Long-term (and spatially varying) regional-level air pollution were more strongly associated with non-hemorrhagic stroke deaths in general. These associations varied by age. Employment (manual workers) and low education were risk factors for stroke mortality at younger ages (age <65). Greenness and open space did not have a significant association with stroke mortality. Since a significant connection was expected, this leads to questions about the health-inducing efficacy of Hong Kong's compact open spaces (natural greenery being limited to steep slopes, and extensive impervious surfaces on public open spaces). In conclusion, urban plans and designs for stroke mortality prevention should implement age-specific health care to neighborhoods with particular population segments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Chak Ho
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Huagui Guo
- School of Architecture and Urban-rural Planning, Fuzhou University, China
| | - Ta-Chien Chan
- Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taiwan
| | - Yuan Shi
- Institute of Future Cities, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Chris Webster
- Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Kenneth N K Fong
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
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11
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Bagheri N, Mavoa S, Tabatabaei-Jafari H, Knibbs LD, Coffee NT, Salvador-Carulla L, Anstey KJ. The Impact of Built and Social Environmental Characteristics on Diagnosed and Estimated Future Risk of Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 84:621-632. [PMID: 34569946 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210208] [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: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dementia is a major global health challenge and the impact of built and social environments' characteristics on dementia risk have not yet been fully evaluated. OBJECTIVE To investigate associations between built and social environmental characteristics and diagnosed dementia cases and estimated dementia risk. METHODS We recruited 25,511 patients aged 65 and older from family physicians' practices. We calculated a dementia risk score based on risk and protective factors for patients not diagnosed with dementia. Our exposure variables were estimated for each statistical area level 1: social fragmentation, nitrogen dioxide, public open spaces, walkability, socio-economic status, and the length of main roads. We performed a multilevel mixed effect linear regression analysis to allow for the hierarchical nature of the data. RESULTS We found that a one standard deviation (1-SD) increase in NO2 and walkability score was associated with 10% higher odds of any versus no dementia (95% CI: 1%, 21% for NO2 and 0%, 22% for walkability score). For estimated future risk of dementia, a 1-SD increase in social fragmentation and NO2 was associated with a 1% increase in dementia risk (95% CI: 0, 1%). 1-SD increases in public open space and socioeconomic status were associated with 3% (95% CI: 0.95, 0.98) and 1% decreases (95% CI: 0.98, 0.99) in dementia risk, respectively. There was spatial heterogeneity in the pattern of diagnosed dementia and the estimated future risk of dementia. CONCLUSION Associations of neighborhood NO2 level, walkability, public open space, and social fragmentation with diagnosed dementia cases and estimated future risk of dementia were statistically significant, indicating the potential to reduce the risk through changes in built and social environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasser Bagheri
- Centre for Mental Health Research, the Research School of Population Health, the Australian National University, Australia.,The Australian Geospatial Health Lab, Health Research Institute, The University of Canberra, Australia
| | - Suzanne Mavoa
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, the University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Hossein Tabatabaei-Jafari
- Centre for Mental Health Research, the Research School of Population Health, the Australian National University, Australia
| | - Luke D Knibbs
- The School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Neil T Coffee
- The Australian Geospatial Health Lab, Health Research Institute, The University of Canberra, Australia
| | - Luis Salvador-Carulla
- Centre for Mental Health Research, the Research School of Population Health, the Australian National University, Australia.,Menzies Centre for Health Policy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney
| | - Kaarin J Anstey
- UNSW Ageing Futures Institute, the University of New South Wales, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Australia
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