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Beyond greenspace: an ecological study of population general health and indicators of natural environment type and quality
- Source :
- International Journal of Health Geographics, Wheeler, B W, Lovell, R, Higgins, S L, White, M P, Alcock, I, Osborne, N J, Husk, K, Sabel, C E & Depledge, M H 2015, ' Beyond greenspace : An ecological study of population general health and indicators of natural environment type and quality ' International Journal of Health Geographics, vol. 14, no. 1 . https://doi.org/10.1186/s12942-015-0009-5
- Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- BACKGROUND: Many studies suggest that exposure to natural environments ('greenspace') enhances human health and wellbeing. Benefits potentially arise via several mechanisms including stress reduction, opportunity and motivation for physical activity, and reduced air pollution exposure. However, the evidence is mixed and sometimes inconclusive. One explanation may be that "greenspace" is typically treated as a homogenous environment type. However, recent research has revealed that different types and qualities of natural environments may influence health and wellbeing to different extents.METHODS: This ecological study explores this issue further using data on land cover type, bird species richness, water quality and protected or designated status to create small-area environmental indicators across Great Britain. Associations between these indicators and age/sex standardised prevalence of both good and bad health from the 2011 Census were assessed using linear regression models. Models were adjusted for indicators of socio-economic deprivation and rurality, and also investigated effect modification by these contextual characteristics.RESULTS: Positive associations were observed between good health prevalence and the density of the greenspace types, "broadleaf woodland", "arable and horticulture", "improved grassland", "saltwater" and "coastal", after adjusting for potential confounders. Inverse associations with bad health prevalence were observed for the same greenspace types, with the exception of "saltwater". Land cover diversity and density of protected/designated areas were also associated with good and bad health in the predicted manner. Bird species richness (an indicator of local biodiversity) was only associated with good health prevalence. Surface water quality, an indicator of general local environmental condition, was associated with good and bad health prevalence contrary to the manner expected, with poorer water quality associated with better population health. Effect modification by income deprivation and urban/rural status was observed for several of the indicators.CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that the type, quality and context of 'greenspace' should be considered in the assessment of relationships between greenspace and human health and wellbeing. Opportunities exist to further integrate approaches from ecosystem services and public health perspectives to maximise opportunities to inform policies for health and environmental improvement and protection.
- Subjects :
- Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Census
General Computer Science
Health geography
Blue space
Population
Business, Management and Accounting(all)
Context (language use)
Population health
General health
Ecosystem services
Rurality
Environmental health
medicine
Humans
UK
education
Ecosystem
2. Zero hunger
education.field_of_study
Public health
Research
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Urban Health
Ecological study
15. Life on land
General Business, Management and Accounting
United Kingdom
Nature
Greenspace
Geography
Cross-Sectional Studies
Socioeconomic Factors
13. Climate action
Population Surveillance
Environment Design
Female
Salutogenesis
Computer Science(all)
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 1476072X
- Volume :
- 14
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International journal of health geographics
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....1b7ab7abd0dfed84651b4c40686bd88d