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Roche IV, Ubalde-Lopez M, Daher C, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Gascon M. The Health-Related and Learning Performance Effects of Air Pollution and Other Urban-Related Environmental Factors on School-Age Children and Adolescents-A Scoping Review of Systematic Reviews. Curr Environ Health Rep 2024; 11:300-316. [PMID: 38369581 PMCID: PMC11082043 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00431-0] [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] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This scoping review aims to assess the impact of air pollution, traffic noise, heat, and green and blue space exposures on the physical and cognitive development of school-age children and adolescents. While existing evidence indicates adverse effects of transport-related exposures on their health, a comprehensive scoping review is necessary to consolidate findings on various urban environmental exposures' effects on children's development. RECENT FINDINGS There is consistent evidence on how air pollution negatively affects children's cognitive and respiratory health and learning performance, increasing their susceptibility to diseases in their adult life. Scientific evidence on heat and traffic noise, while less researched, indicates that they negatively affect children's health. On the contrary, green space exposure seems to benefit or mitigate these adverse effects, suggesting a potential strategy to promote children's cognitive and physical development in urban settings. This review underscores the substantial impact of urban exposures on the physical and mental development of children and adolescents. It highlights adverse health effects that can extend into adulthood, affecting academic opportunities and well-being beyond health. While acknowledging the necessity for more research on the mechanisms of air pollution effects and associations with heat and noise exposure, the review advocates prioritizing policy changes and urban planning interventions. This includes minimizing air pollution and traffic noise while enhancing urban vegetation, particularly in school environments, to ensure the healthy development of children and promote lifelong health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Valls Roche
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mònica Ubalde-Lopez
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolyn Daher
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mireia Gascon
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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2
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Zijlema W, Cerin E, Cirach M, Bartoll X, Borrell C, Dadvand P, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ. Cities and mental health: The role of the built environment, and environmental and lifestyle factors in Barcelona. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123559. [PMID: 38382733 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123559] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Built environment characteristics and related environmental exposures and behaviors have been, separately, implicated in the development of poor mental health. However, it is unclear how these factors act together in relation to mental health. We studied these factors simultaneously to evaluate the impact of the built environment, and the mediating role of environmental exposures and physical activity, on mental health, while also studying moderation by sex, age, and length of residence. We used a cross-sectional population-based sample of 3145 individuals aged 15-97 years from Barcelona, Spain. Time spent walking and mental health status were assessed with validated questionnaires, administered through a face-to-face interview. We characterized the built environment (e.g., building, population and intersection density and green space), road traffic noise, and ambient air pollution at the residential level using land cover maps, remote sensing, noise maps and land use regression models. Adjusted regression models accounting for spatial clustering were analyzed to study associations between built environment attributes and mental health, and mediation and moderation effects. Density attributes were directly or indirectly, through air pollution and less consistently through walking, associated with poor mental health. Green space indicators were associated with lower prevalence of poor mental health, partly through lower air pollution exposure and more walking. In some cases, these associations differed by sex, age or length of residence. Non-linear associations of density indicators with environmental exposures, and of particulate matter with poor mental health indicated threshold effects. We conclude that living in dense areas with high air pollution concentrations was associated with poor mental health. On the other hand, green areas with lower air pollution concentrations were protective against poor mental health. Greater urban density might benefit health, but might only do so when air pollution concentrations are low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilma Zijlema
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; GGD Drenthe, Mien Ruysweg 1, 9408 KA, Assen, the Netherlands
| | - Ester Cerin
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research (MMIHR), Australian Catholic University (ACU), 5/215 Spring St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Marta Cirach
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xavier Bartoll
- Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Plaça Lesseps 1, 08023, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Borrell
- Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Ciber of Epidemiology and Public Health, Plaça Lesseps 1, 08023, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Payam Dadvand
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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3
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Wang Y, Steenbergen B, van der Krabben E, Kooij HJ, Raaphorst K, Hoekman R. The Impact of the Built Environment and Social Environment on Physical Activity: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6189. [PMID: 37372774 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20126189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the current state of physical activity research, focusing on the interplay between built and social environments and their respective influences on physical activity. We comprehensively searched electronic databases to identify relevant studies published between 2000 and 2022. A total of 35 articles have been reviewed based on the research question. The review found that built and social environments influence physical activity, and consideration of people's perceptions of their surroundings can provide further insight. The literature was summarized, and recommendations were made for future research. Findings suggest that interventions targeting built and social environments can promote physical activity effectively. However, limitations in the literature exist, including a need for more standardization in research methods and consistency in measurement tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyu Wang
- Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Steenbergen
- Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Erwin van der Krabben
- Department of Geography, Planning, and Environment, Institute for Management Research, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Henk-Jan Kooij
- Department of Geography, Planning, and Environment, Institute for Management Research, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kevin Raaphorst
- Department of Geography, Planning, and Environment, Institute for Management Research, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Examining activity-friendly neighborhoods in the Norwegian context: green space and walkability in relation to physical activity and the moderating role of perceived safety. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:259. [PMID: 36747160 PMCID: PMC9903513 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15170-4] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the well-known health benefits of regular physical activity, inactivity remains a major public health concern. Understanding how the built environment can encourage physical activity is therefore important to inform current policy strategies for creating activity-friendly neighborhoods. This study aimed to examine whether neighborhood walkability and greenness were associated with physical activity, and if perceived safety moderated any such relations, among adult citizens in Norway. METHODS This cross-sectional study included a sample of 5670 adults aged ≥ 18 years living in urban areas of Stavanger. Information on physical activity (PA) levels, perceived neighborhood safety, and socio-demography were obtained from questionnaire data collected in the Norwegian county public health survey of Rogaland. Geographic information systems were utilized to compute walkability, vegetation scores and proportion of green space within postcode areas, which subsequently were linked to the survey data. Hierarchical linear regression models were fitted to examine associations between walkability, amount of vegetation, proportion of green space and weekly minutes of PA, and to estimate main and interaction effects of perceived safety on these relationships. RESULTS The adults were on average physically active 148.3 min/week. The amount of green vegetation in the neighborhood was positively related to physical activity when adjusting for potential confounders. No such relations were observed for proportion of green space and walkability. Perceived neighborhood safety was significantly related to increased levels of physical activity, but no moderating role of perceived safety was observed. CONCLUSION Although our findings should be interpreted with caution, the results point towards the importance of policymakers, planners, and public health professionals to advocate for safe environments with green vegetation for physical activity in the neighborhood.
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Vich G, Gutiérrez A, Delclòs-Alió X, Tomàs-Porres J, Miravet D. Presence of tourists and perceived safety from COVID-19 among local bus users: Evidence from a Mediterranean city. TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES 2022; 14:100599. [PMID: 35434603 PMCID: PMC8995364 DOI: 10.1016/j.trip.2022.100599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, public transport has been signalled as a potential contagion hot-spot, leading to a generalised decrease in its use. However, public transport use is still being used and little is known about how the perception of loyal users is configured in contexts of influenza-like viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. The configuration of the perception of safety acquires a critical importance in urban contexts where the public transport system is used both by tourists and local users. The presence of strangers or higher crowding levels could impact the perception of safety among residents and their consequent travel behaviour. In the present study, we explored how the presence of tourists influences the configuration of the perception safety related to the transmission of COVID-19 on public transport of daily users. We used data from an ad-hoc survey conducted at the main bus stations and stops of the Tarragona Urban Area (Catalonia, Spain) between August and September 2020. This area includes the Costa Daurada coastal destination. The 2020 summer holiday season was characterised for the relaxation of mobility restrictions and the start of the second wave of COVID-19. Results show how the presence of tourists in buses negatively influenced the perception of safety of local users. However, this influence can be mostly explained to their prior perception of risk of contagion. These findings will be useful for policymakers and public transport managers in both the latter stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and future virus-related epidemics to maintain public transport ridership.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillem Vich
- Research Group on Territorial Analysis and Tourism Studies (GRATET), Department of Geography, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Spain
| | - Aaron Gutiérrez
- Research Group on Territorial Analysis and Tourism Studies (GRATET), Department of Geography, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain
| | - Xavier Delclòs-Alió
- Research Group on Territorial Analysis and Tourism Studies (GRATET), Department of Geography, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain
| | - Josep Tomàs-Porres
- Research Centre on Economics and Sustainability (ECO-SOS), Department of Economics, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain
| | - Daniel Miravet
- Consortium of Public Transport of Camp de Tarragona, Spain
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Delclòs-Alió X, Rodríguez DA, Medina C, Miranda JJ, Avila-Palencia I, Targa F, Moran MR, Sarmiento OL, Quistberg DA. Walking for transportation in large Latin American cities: walking-only trips and total walking events and their sociodemographic correlates. TRANSPORT REVIEWS 2022; 42:296-317. [PMID: 35431369 PMCID: PMC7612619 DOI: 10.1080/01441647.2021.1966552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Walking for transportation is a common and accessible means of achieving recommended physical activity levels, while providing important social and environmental co-benefits. Even though walking in rapidly growing urban areas has become especially challenging given the increasing dependence on motorised transportation, walking remains a major mode of transportation in Latin American cities. In this paper we aimed to quantify self-reported walking for transportation in Mexico City, Bogota, Santiago de Chile, Sao Paulo, and Buenos Aires, by identifying both walking trips that are conducted entirely on foot and walking events involved in trips mainly conducted on other means of transportation (e.g. private vehicle, public transit) among individuals ≥5-years old. We show how walking-only trips account for approximately 30% trips in the analysed cities, and we evidence how the pedestrian dimension of mobility is largely underestimated if walking that is incidental to other transportation modes is not accounted for: when considering all walking events, we observed an increase between 73% and 217% in daily walking time. As a result, we estimated that between 19% and 25% of residents in these cities meet the WHO physical activity guidelines solely from walking for transportation. The results of the study also suggest that the promotion of public transportation in large Latin American cities can especially help certain population groups achieve the daily recommended levels of physical activity, while among low-income groups accessibility and safety seem to be the key challenges to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Delclòs-Alió
- Institute of Urban and Regional Development, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Daniel A. Rodríguez
- Department of City and Regional Planning & Institute for Transportation Studies, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Catalina Medina
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - J. Jaime Miranda
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | | | | | - Mika R. Moran
- Institute of Urban and Regional Development, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - D. Alex Quistberg
- Urban Health Collaborative, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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7
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Twitter Data Mining to Map Pedestrian Experience of Open Spaces. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12094143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
This research investigated the classification and visualisation of Twitter user-generated data. Twitter data were classified based on their sentiment relating to pedestrian experience of the quality of open spaces, based on their content. The research methodology for Twitter data collection, processing and analysis included five phases: data collection, data pre-processing, data classification, data visualisation and data analysis. The territorial focus was on Oxford Street, London, UK. Special attention was placed on the questions regarding the potential of using Twitter data for extracting relevant topics for the public space and investigating whether the sentiment for these topics can relate to urban design and improvement of pedestrian space. The proposed research model considered amount and relevance, its possibilities regarding the interpretation of the collected sample, the potential of the data for the purpose of the analysis of pedestrian space quality, the precision of sentiment determination and the usability of data in relation to a particular open public space.
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Avila-Palencia I, Rodríguez DA, Miranda JJ, Moore K, Gouveia N, Moran MR, Caiaffa WT, Diez Roux AV. Associations of Urban Environment Features with Hypertension and Blood Pressure across 230 Latin American Cities. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022. [PMID: 35167325 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2021.o-lt-031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Features of the urban physical environment may be linked to the development of high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for global burden of disease. OBJECTIVES We examined associations of urban physical environment features with hypertension and blood pressure measures in adults across 230 Latin American cities. METHODS In this cross-sectional study we used health, social, and built environment data from the SALud URBana en América Latina (SALURBAL) project. The individual-level outcomes were hypertension and levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The exposures were city and subcity built environment features, mass transit infrastructure, and green space. Odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multilevel logistic and linear regression models, with single- and multiple-exposure models adjusted for individual-level age, sex, education, and subcity educational attainment. RESULTS A total of 109,176 participants from 230 cities and eight countries were included in the hypertension analyses and 50,228 participants from 194 cities and seven countries were included in the blood pressure measures analyses. Participants were 18-97 years of age. In multiple-exposure models, higher city fragmentation was associated with higher odds of having hypertension (OR per standard deviation (SD) increase=1.11; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.21); presence (vs. no presence) of mass transit in the city was associated with higher odds of having hypertension (OR=1.30; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.54); higher subcity population density was associated with lower odds of having hypertension (OR per SD increase=0.90; 95% CI: 0.85, 0.94); and higher subcity intersection density was associated with higher odds of having hypertension [OR per SD increase=1.09; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.15). The presence of mass transit was also associated with slightly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure in multiple-exposure models adjusted for treatment. Except for the association between intersection density and hypertension, associations were attenuated after adjustment for country. An inverse association of greenness with continuous blood pressure emerged after country adjustment. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that urban physical environment features-such as fragmentation, mass transit, population density, and intersection density-may be related to hypertension in Latin American cities. Reducing chronic disease risks in the growing urban areas of Latin America may require attention to integrated management of urban design and transport planning. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7870.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ione Avila-Palencia
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel A Rodríguez
- Department of City and Regional Planning, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Institute for Transportation Studies, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - J Jaime Miranda
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Kari Moore
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nelson Gouveia
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mika R Moran
- Institute of Urban and Regional Development, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Waleska T Caiaffa
- Observatory for Urban Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerals, Brazil
| | - Ana V Diez Roux
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Avila-Palencia I, Rodríguez DA, Miranda JJ, Moore K, Gouveia N, Moran MR, Caiaffa WT, Diez Roux AV. Associations of Urban Environment Features with Hypertension and Blood Pressure across 230 Latin American Cities. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:27010. [PMID: 35167325 PMCID: PMC8846315 DOI: 10.1289/ehp7870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Features of the urban physical environment may be linked to the development of high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for global burden of disease. OBJECTIVES We examined associations of urban physical environment features with hypertension and blood pressure measures in adults across 230 Latin American cities. METHODS In this cross-sectional study we used health, social, and built environment data from the SALud URBana en América Latina (SALURBAL) project. The individual-level outcomes were hypertension and levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The exposures were city and subcity built environment features, mass transit infrastructure, and green space. Odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multilevel logistic and linear regression models, with single- and multiple-exposure models adjusted for individual-level age, sex, education, and subcity educational attainment. RESULTS A total of 109,176 participants from 230 cities and eight countries were included in the hypertension analyses and 50,228 participants from 194 cities and seven countries were included in the blood pressure measures analyses. Participants were 18-97 years of age. In multiple-exposure models, higher city fragmentation was associated with higher odds of having hypertension (OR per standard deviation (SD) increase=1.11; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.21); presence (vs. no presence) of mass transit in the city was associated with higher odds of having hypertension (OR=1.30; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.54); higher subcity population density was associated with lower odds of having hypertension (OR per SD increase=0.90; 95% CI: 0.85, 0.94); and higher subcity intersection density was associated with higher odds of having hypertension [OR per SD increase=1.09; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.15). The presence of mass transit was also associated with slightly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure in multiple-exposure models adjusted for treatment. Except for the association between intersection density and hypertension, associations were attenuated after adjustment for country. An inverse association of greenness with continuous blood pressure emerged after country adjustment. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that urban physical environment features-such as fragmentation, mass transit, population density, and intersection density-may be related to hypertension in Latin American cities. Reducing chronic disease risks in the growing urban areas of Latin America may require attention to integrated management of urban design and transport planning. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7870.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ione Avila-Palencia
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel A. Rodríguez
- Department of City and Regional Planning, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Institute for Transportation Studies, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - J. Jaime Miranda
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Kari Moore
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nelson Gouveia
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mika R. Moran
- Institute of Urban and Regional Development, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Waleska T. Caiaffa
- Observatory for Urban Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerals, Brazil
| | - Ana V. Diez Roux
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Nieuwenhuijsen MJ. New urban models for more sustainable, liveable and healthier cities post covid19; reducing air pollution, noise and heat island effects and increasing green space and physical activity. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 157:106850. [PMID: 34531034 PMCID: PMC8457623 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Cities are centres of innovation and wealth creation, but also hotspots of air pollution and noise, heat island effects and lack of green space, which are all detrimental to human health. They are also hotspots of COVID19. COVID19 has led to a rethink of urban public space. Therefore, is it time to re-think our urban models and reduce the health burden? We provide a narrative meta-review around a number of cutting edge and visionary urban models that that may affect health and that have been reported over the past few years. New urban concepts such as the Superblocks, the low traffic neighbourhood, 15 Minute city, Car free city or a mixture of these that may go some way in reducing the health burden related to current urban and transport practices. They will reduce air pollution and noise, heat island effects and increase green space and physical activity levels. What is still lacking though is a thorough evaluation of the effectiveness and acceptability of the schemes and the impacts on not only health, but also liveability and sustainability, although they are expected to be positive. Finally, the COVID19 pandemic may accelerate these developments and stimulus funding like the EU Next Generation funding should be used to make these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Melbourne, Australia.
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11
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Mueller N, Daher C, Rojas-Rueda D, Delgado L, Vicioso H, Gascon M, Marquet O, Vert C, Martin I, Nieuwenhuijsen M. Integrating health indicators into urban and transport planning: A narrative literature review and participatory process. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 235:113772. [PMID: 34102572 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Today, urban and transport planners face considerable challenges in designing and retrofitting cities that are prepared for increasing urban populations, and their service and mobility needs. When it comes to health-promoting urban and transport developments, there is also a lack of standardized, quantitative indicators to guide the integration of health components right from the outset, i.e. in the formal planning or zoning phase. We narratively reviewed the literature and organized stakeholder workshops to identify and tailor planning principles and indicators that can be linked to health outcomes. We defined four core planning objectives that previous authoritative studies have suggested to result in positive health outcomes among city dwellers, which are: I) development of compact cities, II) reduction of private motorized transport, III) promotion of active (i.e. walking and cycling) and public transport, IV) development of green and public open space. Built on the review and stakeholder consensus, we identified 10 urban and transport planning principles that work towards achieving the four core objectives thought to provide health benefits for European city dwellers. These 10 planning principles are: 1) land use mix, 2) street connectivity, 3) density, 4) motorized transport reductions, 5) walking, 6) cycling, 7) public transport, 8) multi-modality, 9) green and public open space, and 10) integration of all planning principles. A set of indicators was developed and tailored for each planning principle. The final output of this work is a checklist ready to be applied by urban and transport professionals to integrate health into urban and transport developments in urban environments right from the outset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Mueller
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolyn Daher
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Rojas-Rueda
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Laura Delgado
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Horacio Vicioso
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mireia Gascon
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Oriol Marquet
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Vert
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Martin
- Generalitat de Catalunya, Direcció General de Polítiques Ambientals i Medi Natural, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
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12
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Subiza-Pérez M, García-Baquero G, Babarro I, Anabitarte A, Delclòs-Alió X, Vich G, Roig-Costa O, Miralles-Guasch C, Lertxundi N, Ibarluzea J. Does the perceived neighborhood environment promote mental health during pregnancy? Confirmation of a pathway through social cohesion in two Spanish samples. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 197:111192. [PMID: 33872648 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Physical neighborhood attributes such as greenness, walkability and environmental pollution may have an influence on people's behavior and health. It has been claimed that part of such effects may come from the promotion of physical activity and the strengthening of social cohesion. In this study, we recruited samples of pregnant women in two Spanish cities (Donostia-San Sebastián, 440 participants and Barcelona, 360 participants) who filled in a questionnaire and wore an accelerometer for 1 week during the first trimester of pregnancy. The influence of perceived residential greenness, walkability and environmental pollution on mental health (GHQ-12) was tested in two structural equation models that included light physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and social cohesion as mediators. Two solutions showing excellent and good fits (Donostia-San Sebastián: X2(3) = 2.56, p = .465, CFI = 1, RMSEA < 0.001; Barcelona: X2(6) = 4.86, p = .566, CFI = 1, RMSEA = 0.048) consistently showed that neighborhood attributes promote mental health through social cohesion in the two cities. Stratified analyses revealed that the social cohesion-mental health effect was only statistically significant for low and medium socioeconomic status groups in the Donostia-San Sebastián sample. Pathways through physical activity were not confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikel Subiza-Pérez
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology and Research Methods, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 70, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain S/n, 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/ Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Madrid, 28029, Spain.
| | - Gonzalo García-Baquero
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain S/n, 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/ Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Madrid, 28029, Spain.
| | - Izaro Babarro
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology and Research Methods, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 70, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain S/n, 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
| | - Asier Anabitarte
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain S/n, 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena S/n, Leioa, 48940, Spain.
| | - Xavier Delclòs-Alió
- Institute of Urban and Regional Development (IURD), University of California, Berkeley, United States.
| | - Guillem Vich
- Geography Department, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, 43480, Vila-seca, Tarragona, Spain; ISGlobal (Barcelona Institute for Global Health), Barcelona, 08036, Spain; Grup D'Estudis en Mobilitat, Transport I Territori (GEMOTT), Departament de Geografia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici B, Campus de Bellaterra, 08193, Cerdanyola Del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain.
| | - Oriol Roig-Costa
- Grup D'Estudis en Mobilitat, Transport I Territori (GEMOTT), Departament de Geografia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici B, Campus de Bellaterra, 08193, Cerdanyola Del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain.
| | - Carme Miralles-Guasch
- Grup D'Estudis en Mobilitat, Transport I Territori (GEMOTT), Departament de Geografia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici B, Campus de Bellaterra, 08193, Cerdanyola Del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain.
| | - Nerea Lertxundi
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology and Research Methods, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 70, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain S/n, 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
| | - Jesús Ibarluzea
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain S/n, 20014, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/ Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Madrid, 28029, Spain; Ministry of Health of the Basque Government, SubDirectorate for Public Health and Addictions of Gipuzkoa, 20013, San Sebastian, Spain; Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 70, 20018, Donostia - San Sebastian, Spain.
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13
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Mueller W, Wilkinson P, Milner J, Vardoulakis S, Steinle S, Pärkkä J, Parmes E, Cluitmans L, Kuijpers E, Pronk A, Sarigiannis D, Karakitsios S, Chapizanis D, Maggos T, Stamatelopoulou A, Loh M. Neighbourhood and path-based greenspace in three European countries: associations with objective physical activity. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:282. [PMID: 33541323 PMCID: PMC7860634 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10259-0] [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: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Greenspace has been associated with health benefits in many contexts. An important pathway may be through outdoor physical activity. We use a novel approach to examine the link between greenspace microenvironments and outdoor physical activity levels in the HEALS study conducted in Edinburgh (UK), the Netherlands, and Athens and Thessaloniki (Greece). Methods Using physical activity tracker recordings, 118 HEALS participants with young children were classified with regard to daily minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA); 60 were classified with regard to the metabolic equivalent task (MET)-minutes for each of the 1014 active trips they made. Greenspace indicators were generated for Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), tree cover density (TCD), and green land use (GLU). We employed linear mixed-effects models to analyse (1) daily MVPA in relation to greenspace within 300 m and 1000 m of residential addresses and (2) trip MET-minutes in relation to average greenspace within a 50 m buffer of walking/cycling routes. Models were adjusted for activity, walkability, bluespace, age, sex, car ownership, dog ownership, season, weekday/weekend day, and local meteorology. Results There was no clear association between MVPA-minutes and any residential greenspace measure. For example, in fully adjusted models, a 10 percentage point increase in NDVI within 300 m of home was associated with a daily increase of 1.14 (95% CI − 0.41 to 2.70) minutes of MVPA. However, we did find evidence to indicate greenspace markers were positively linked to intensity and duration of activity: in fully adjusted models, 10 percentage point increases in trip NDVI, TCD, and GLU were associated with increases of 10.4 (95% CI: 4.43 to 16.4), 10.6 (95% CI: 4.96 to 16.3), and 3.36 (95% CI: 0.00 to 6.72) MET-minutes, respectively. The magnitude of associations with greenspace tended to be greater for cycling. Conclusions More strenuous or longer walking and cycling trips occurred in environments with more greenspace, but levels of residential greenspace did not have a clear link with outdoor MVPA. To build on our research, we suggest future work examine larger, more diverse populations and investigate the influence of greenspace for trip purpose and route preference. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10259-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Mueller
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, UK. .,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Paul Wilkinson
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - James Milner
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sotiris Vardoulakis
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, UK.,National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | | | - Juha Pärkkä
- , VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Finland
| | - Eija Parmes
- , VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Thomas Maggos
- National Centre for Scientific Research 'Demokritos', Athens, Greece
| | | | - Miranda Loh
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
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14
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Malagon-Rojas JN, Pinzón-Silva DC, Parra EL, Lagos M LF, Toloza-Perez YG, Hernández Florez LJ, Morales Betancourt R, Romero SA, Ríos Cabra AP, Sarmiento OL. Assessment of personal exposure to particulate air pollution in different microenvironments and traveling by several modes of transportation in Bogotá, Colombia: protocol for a mixed-methods study. (Preprint). JMIR Res Protoc 2020; 11:e25690. [PMID: 35099404 PMCID: PMC8845014 DOI: 10.2196/25690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Air pollution in most countries exceeds the levels recommended by the World Health Organization, causing up to one-third of deaths due to noncommunicable diseases. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) from mobile sources are the main contaminants. Objective The aim of this study is to assess the relationship of exposure to air pollutants (PM2.5 and BC) in microenvironments according to respiratory health and physical activity in users traveling by different types of transportation in Bogotá, Colombia. Methods A mixed methods study based on a convergent parallel design will be performed with workers and students. The sample will include 350 healthy transport users traveling by different urban transportation modes in three main routes in Bogotá. The study is broken down into two components: (1) a descriptive qualitative component focused on assessing the individual perception of air pollution using semistructured interviews; and (2) a cross-sectional study measuring the individual exposure to PM2.5 and BC using portable instruments (DustTrak and microAeth, respectively), pulmonary function by spirometry, and physical activity with accelerometry. The analysis will include concurrent triangulation and logistic regression. Results The findings will be useful for the conception, design, and decision-making process in the sectors of health and mobility from public, academy, and private perspectives. This study includes personal measurements of PM2.5 and BC during typical trips in the city to assess the exposure to these contaminants in the major roadways in real time. The study further compares the performance of two different lung tests to identify possible short-term respiratory effects. As a limitation, the protocol will include participants from different institutions in the city, which are not necessarily representative of all healthy populations in Bogotá. In this sense, it is not possible to draw causation conclusions. Moreover, a convergent parallel design could be especially problematic concerning integration because such a design often lacks a clear plan for making a connection between the two sets of results, which may not be well connected. Nevertheless, this study adopts a procedure for how to integrate qualitative and quantitative data in the interpretation of the results and a multilevel regression. The time that participants must live in the city will be considered; this will be controlled in the stratified analysis. Another limitation is the wide age range and working status of the participants. Regional pollution levels and episodes (PM2.5) will be handled as confounding variables. The study is currently in the enrollment phase of the participants. Measurements have been made on 300 participants. Pandemic conditions affected the study schedule; however, the results are likely to be obtained by late 2022. Conclusions This study investigates the exposure to air pollutants in microenvironments in Bogotá, Colombia. To our knowledge, this is the first mixed methods study focusing on PM2.5, BC, and respiratory health effects in a city over 2 meters above sea level. This study will provide an integration of air pollution exposure variables and respiratory health effects in different microenvironments. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/25690
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeadran N Malagon-Rojas
- Grupo de Salud Ambiental y Laboral, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Eliana L Parra
- Grupo de Salud Ambiental y Laboral, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luisa F Lagos M
- Grupo de Salud Ambiental y Laboral, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Yesith Guillermo Toloza-Perez
- Grupo de Salud Ambiental y Laboral, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
- Maestría en Epidemiologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luis Jorge Hernández Florez
- Grupo de Investigación Salud Pública, Educación y Profesionalismo, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Sol Angie Romero
- Grupo de Cuidado Cardiorrespiratorio, Universidad Manuela Beltrán, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Ana Paola Ríos Cabra
- Grupo de Cuidado Cardiorrespiratorio, Universidad Manuela Beltrán, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Olga L Sarmiento
- Grupo de Epidemiología EPIANDES, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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15
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Nordbø ECA, Raanaas RK, Nordh H, Aamodt G. Disentangling how the built environment relates to children's well-being: Participation in leisure activities as a mediating pathway among 8-year-olds based on the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. Health Place 2020; 64:102360. [PMID: 32838885 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
There is scarce insight into the role of the built environment for children's subjective well-being. In an attempt to increase our knowledge on this matter, we conducted a cross-sectional study comprising 23,043 children from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. Information about children's leisure activities and their moods and feelings were linked to geospatial data on green space, facilities and population density to assess whether these built characteristics are related to subjective well-being and if participating in leisure activities is a mediator in such relations. We found that children having a park and more playgrounds/sports fields in the neighborhood, as well as those living in more densely populated areas, had more depressive moods and negative feelings. However, participating in leisure-time physical activity, organized activities and social activity with friends mediated these relations and contributed to counterbalancing some of the negative associations observed. The findings suggest that planners and policy makers should focus on ensuring children have neighborhood resources and venues that could support engagement in leisure activities that add positive experiences for their subjective well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Charlott Andersson Nordbø
- Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
| | - Ruth Kjærsti Raanaas
- Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
| | - Helena Nordh
- Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
| | - Geir Aamodt
- Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
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