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Li M, Li Y, Liu Z, Hystad P, Rangarajan S, Tse LA, Lear SA, Ma Y, Chen M, Han G, Li R, Yusuf S, Liu L, Hu B, Li W. Associations of perceived built environment characteristics using NEWS questionnaires with all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular diseases: The prospective urban rural epidemiology (PURE)-China study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 187:108627. [PMID: 38636273 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite increased literature focusing on the role of the built environment (BE) in health, few cohort studies have quantitatively analyzed neighborhood walkability environment in relation to the risk of death and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This longitudinal study aimed at evaluating the association between perceived BE attributeswith mortality and major CVD based on the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study in China (PURE-China). METHODS The PURE-China study recruited 47,931 participants aged 35-70 years from 12 provinces of China between 2005 and 2009. The perceived BE information, including land use, street, aesthetics, and safety, was collected using the neighborhood environment walkability scale (NEWS) questionnaire, with higher scores indicating a more favorable rating. Two primary outcomes are all-cause mortality and major CVD event. The Cox frailty model with random intercepts was used to assess the association between the perceived total BE/subscales score and outcomes. RESULTS Of 32,163 participants included in this study, 19,253 (59.9 %) were women, and the mean (SD) age was 51.0 (9.5) years. After a median follow-up period of 11.7 years (IQR 9.4 - 12.2), we observed that one standard deviation higher of combined BE scores was related to a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.85; 95 %CI, 0.80-0.90), and major CVD events (HR = 0.95; 95 %CI, 0.90-0.99). The subscales of perceived BE were related to a lower risk, although a few were not significant. Land use mix-diversity and safety from crime were the two most significant subscales. Stronger risks were observed among urban and female participants. CONCLUSION Favorable perceived BE characteristics were linked with a lower risk of all-cause mortality and major CVD events in Chinese population, especially in urban areas and females. Our findings can be used by policymakers to take action to mitigate the adverse effect of poor community conditions on health, such as improving local amenities and transport connectivity, providing building paths for walking, running and cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengya Li
- Medical Research & Biometrics Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Yang Li
- Medical Research & Biometrics Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China; Interventional Center of Valvular Heart Disease, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiguang Liu
- Clinical Trial Unit, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Perry Hystad
- School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Sumathy Rangarajan
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lap Ah Tse
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Scott A Lear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yuanting Ma
- Dongguan Street Community Health Service Center, Xining, Qinghai Province, China
| | - Mengxin Chen
- Medical Research & Biometrics Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Guoliang Han
- Medical Research & Biometrics Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Ruotong Li
- Medical Research & Biometrics Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Salim Yusuf
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisheng Liu
- Beijing Hypertension League Institute, Beijing, China.
| | - Bo Hu
- Medical Research & Biometrics Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China.
| | - Wei Li
- Medical Research & Biometrics Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China.
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Chen X, Wen J, Wu W, Peng Q, Cui X, He L. A review of factors influencing sensitive skin: an emphasis on built environment characteristics. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1269314. [PMID: 38111482 PMCID: PMC10726041 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1269314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sensitive skin (SS) is a condition characterized by hyperreactivity. Impacting around 37 percent of the worldwide population and exerting an influence on the quality of life for affected individuals. Its prevalence rate has increased due to factors such as elevating stress levels and deteriorating environmental conditions. The exposome factors influencing SS have extended from demographic, biological attributes, and lifestyle to external environments. Built environments (BEs) have demonstrated as root drivers for changes in behaviors and environmental exposure which have the potential to trigger SS, but the review of the associations between BEs and SS is currently lacking. Objective This review aims to achieve two primary objectives: (1) Examine exposome factors that exert influence on SS at the individual and environmental levels. (2) Develop a theoretical framework that establishes a connection between BEs and SS, thereby offering valuable insights into the impact of the built environment on this condition. Methods An extensive literature search was carried out across multiple fields, including sociology, epidemiology, basic medicine, clinical medicine, and environmental research, with a focus on SS. To identify pertinent references, renowned databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI were utilized. Results SS is the outcome of interactions between individual attributes and environmental factors. These influencing factors can be categorized into five distinct classes: (1) demographic and socioeconomic characteristics including age, gender, and race; (2) physiological and biological attributes such as emotional changes, skin types, sleep disorders, and menstrual cycles in women; (3) behavioral factors, such as spicy diet, cosmetic use, alcohol consumption, and physical exercise; (4) natural environmental features, including climate conditions and air pollution; (5) built environmental features such as population density, green space availability, road network density, and access to public transportation, also have the potential to affect the condition. Conclusion The importance of interdisciplinary integration lies in its ability to ascertain whether and how BEs are impacting SS. By elucidating the role of BEs in conjunction with other factors in the onset of SS, we can provide guidance for future research endeavors and the formulation of interventions aimed at mitigating the prevalence of SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangfeng Chen
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jing Wen
- The Centre for Modern Chinese City Studies, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjuan Wu
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Qiuzhi Peng
- Faculty of Land Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xiangfen Cui
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Li He
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Institute of Skin Health, Kunming, China
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Johannessen A, Xu S, Abbah AP, Janson C. Greenness exposure: beneficial but multidimensional. Breathe (Sheff) 2023; 19:220221. [PMID: 37645023 PMCID: PMC10461730 DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0221-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Many studies have shown that greenness has beneficial health effects, particularly on psychological and cardiovascular outcomes. In this narrative review, we provide a synthesis of knowledge regarding greenness exposure and respiratory health. The following outcomes were reviewed: respiratory mortality, lung cancer mortality, lung cancer incidence, respiratory hospitalisations, lung function, COPD, and asthma. We identified 174 articles through a literature search in PubMed, of which 42 were eligible for inclusion in this review. The most common marker for greenness exposure was the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), which was used in 29 out of 42 papers. Other markers used were tree canopy cover, landcover/land-use, plant diversity, density of tall trees and subjectively perceived greenness. We found beneficial effects of greenness in most studies regarding respiratory mortality, lung cancer incidence, respiratory hospitalisations and lung function. For lung cancer mortality, asthma and COPD, the effects of greenness were less clear cut. While many aspects of greenness are beneficial, some aspects may be harmful, and greenness may have different health effects in different population subgroups. Future studies of greenness and respiratory diseases should focus on asthma and COPD, on effects in different population subgroups and on disentangling the health effects of the various greenness dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ane Johannessen
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Shanshan Xu
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Achenyo Peace Abbah
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Christer Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Luo J, Chan EHW, Du J, Feng L, Jiang P, Xu Y. Developing a Health-Spatial Indicator System for a Healthy City in Small and Midsized Cities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063294. [PMID: 35328982 PMCID: PMC8954862 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A recent examination of the significant role of public health has prompted calls to re-investigate how the urban environment affects public health. A vital part of the solution includes Healthy City initiatives that have been the subject of extensive policies, implications, and practices globally. However, the existing literature mainly focuses on big cities and metropolitan areas, while investigations into small and midsized cities (SMCs) are lacking, and thus reflect the underlying issues of health inequity. This study develops an indicator system for evaluating Healthy City initiatives in SMCs, linking urban design and public health, supported by the analyzed opinions from experts collected using both questionnaires and interviews. The indicator system includes six primary dimensions and 37 variables: urban form and transportation (UFT); health-friendly service (HFS); environmental quality and governance (EQG); community and facility (CF); green and open space (GOS); and ecological construction and biodiversity (ECB). A fuzzy synthetic evaluation technique was used to assess the relative importance of factors, emphasizing the importance of UFT, HFS, and EQG, with importance indexes of 0.175, 0.174, and 0.174, respectively. This indicator system is helpful for SMCs seeking to construct a Healthy City in the future, and is based on urban design and governance inputs and for enhancing the Healthy City knowledge base of cities of varied scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiemei Luo
- Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China;
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Edwin H. W. Chan
- Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China;
- Department of Public Administration, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China;
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +852-27665800
| | - Jinfeng Du
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiao Tong University, Xi’an 710049, China; (J.D.); (L.F.)
| | - Linxia Feng
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiao Tong University, Xi’an 710049, China; (J.D.); (L.F.)
| | - Peng Jiang
- China Center for Urban and Small Town Development, Beijing 100045, China;
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Public Administration, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China;
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Green Space and Health in Mainland China: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18189937. [PMID: 34574854 PMCID: PMC8472560 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become a major cause of premature mortality and disabilities in China due to factors concomitant with rapid economic growth and urbanisation over three decades. Promoting green space might be a valuable strategy to help improve population health in China, as well as a range of co-benefits (e.g., increasing resilience to climate change). No systematic review has so far determined the degree of association between green space and health outcomes in China. This review was conducted to address this gap. Five electronic databases were searched using search terms on green space, health, and China. The review of 83 publications that met eligibility criteria reports associations indicative of various health benefits from more green space, including mental health, general health, healthier weight status and anthropometry, and more favorable cardiometabolic and cerebrovascular outcomes. There was insufficient evidence to draw firm conclusions on mortality, birth outcomes, and cognitive function, and findings on respiratory and infectious outcomes were inconsistent and limited. Future work needs to examine the health benefits of particular types and qualities of green spaces, as well as to take advantage of (quasi-)experimental designs to test greening interventions within the context of China's rapid urbanization and economic growth.
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Sun W, Bao P, Zhao X, Tang J, Wang L. Road Traffic and Urban Form Factors Correlated with the Incidence of Lung Cancer in High-density Areas: An Ecological Study in Downtown Shanghai, China. J Urban Health 2021; 98:328-343. [PMID: 33665783 PMCID: PMC8190205 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-021-00529-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of lung cancer is affected by air pollution, especially in high-density urban areas with heavy road traffic and dense urban form. Several studies have examined the direct relationship between lung cancer incidence and road traffic as well as urban form. However, the results are still inconsistent for high-density urban areas. This study focused on urban form and road traffic, aiming at revealing their relationship with lung cancer incidence in high-density urban areas at the neighborhood level. For this, an ecological study was conducted in downtown Shanghai to identify important indicators and explore quantitative associations. Negative binomial regression was fitted with lung cancer incidence as the dependent variable. The independent variables included indicators for road traffic and urban form, greenness, demographic, and socio-economic factors. The results showed that building coverage, averaged block perimeter area ratio, density of metro station without the glass barrier system, and the percentage of low-quality residential land were positively correlated with lung cancer incidence in the neighborhood, while population density was negatively correlated with lung cancer incidence. This study found a strong self-selection effect of socio-economic factors in the relationship between lung cancer incidence and greenness. These results may be useful for conducting health impact assessments and developing spatial planning interventions for respiratory health in high-density urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyao Sun
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Pingping Bao
- Shanghai Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jian Tang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Lan Wang
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Virtual Reality Representations of Nature to Improve Well-Being amongst Older Adults: a Rapid Review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 6:464-485. [PMID: 33688575 PMCID: PMC7934124 DOI: 10.1007/s41347-021-00195-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Poor well-being amongst older adults poses a serious health concern. Simultaneously, research shows that contact with nature can improve various facets of well-being, including physical, social, and mental well-being. However, nature is not always accessible for older adults due to mobility restrictions and related care needs that come with age. A promising strategy aims at bringing nature inside through pervasive technologies. However, so far, there is little academic understanding of essential nature characteristics, psychological processes involved, and means for implementation in practice. The current study used a three-folded rapid review to assess current understanding and strategies used for improving well-being for older adults through virtual reality representations of nature. Searches were performed across three databases, followed-up by content-based evaluation of abstracts. In total, a set of 25 relevant articles was identified. Only three studies specifically focus on digital nature as an intervention strategy for improving well-being amongst older adults. Although these studies provide useful starting points for the design and (technological) development of such environments, they do not generate understanding of how specific characteristics of virtual nature representations impact social well-being measures in particular, and of the underlying psychological processes involved. We conclude that follow-up research is warranted to close the gap between insights and findings from nature research, gerontology, health research, and human-technology interaction.
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Yang J, Yang H, Xu A, He L. A Review of Advancement on Influencing Factors of Acne: An Emphasis on Environment Characteristics. Front Public Health 2020; 8:450. [PMID: 33042936 PMCID: PMC7527424 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Acne vulgaris is known as a commonly-seen skin disease with a considerable impact on the quality of life. At present, there have been a growing number of epidemiological, medical, demographic and sociological researches focusing on various influencing factors in the occurrence of acne. Nevertheless, the correlation between environmental factors and acne has yet to be fully investigated. Objective: To assess the impacts of individual, natural and social environmental factors on acne and to construct a framework for the potential impact of built environment on acne. Methods: A thorough review was conducted into the published social demographical, epidemiological, and environmental studies on acne through PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science, with reference made to the relevant literature. Results: The influencing factors in acne are classed into four major categories. The first one includes individual socio-economic and biological factors, for example, gender, age, economic level, heredity, obesity, skin type, menstrual cycle (for females), diet, smoking, cosmetics products, electronic products, sleep quality and psychological factors. The second one includes such natural environmental factors as temperature, humidity, sun exposure, air pollution and chloracne. The third one relates to social environment, including social network and social media. The last one includes built environmental factors, for example, population density, food stores, green spaces, as well as other built environment characteristics for transport. Acne can be affected negatively by family history, overweight, obesity, oily or mixed skin, irregular menstrual cycles, sugary food, greasy food, dairy products, smoking, the improper use of cosmetics, the long-term use of electronics, the poor quality of sleep, stress, high temperature, sun exposure, air pollution, mineral oils and halogenated hydrocarbons. Apart from that, there are also potential links between built environment and acne. Conclusions: It is necessary to determine the correlation between the built environment and acne based on the understanding of the impact of traditional factors (sociology of population and environment) on acne gained by multidisciplinary research teams. Moreover, more empirical studies are required to reveal the specific relationship between built environment and acne.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianting Yang
- The Center for Modern Chinese City Studies, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,School of Urban and Regional Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Dermatology and Venereology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Haoran Yang
- The Center for Modern Chinese City Studies, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,School of Urban and Regional Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Aie Xu
- Department of Dermatology, Third People's Hospital of Hangzhou, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li He
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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