500-m Buffer Research Articles

Exposure to residential green space and semen quality among Chinese men

BackgroundResidential greenness has been linked to various health benefits, but evidence on its association with sperm quality remains limited. MethodsWe enrolled 28,089 adult men from an infertility clinic in Hubei, China, from 2014 to 2020. Residential greenness was estimated using the Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) from satellite imagery, averaged within buffers of 250m, 500m and 1000m around each participant’s residential address. We employed multivariate linear regression analysis to evaluate the association between NDVI exposure and semen quality, while controlling for individual characteristics and semen collection season. Additionally, we performed subgroup analyses to investigate potential variations in the association based on individual characteristics. ResultsAn interquartile range increase of 0.243 in NDVI within the 1000m buffer was associated with increases of 1.68% (95% CI: 0.31%, 3.06%) in sperm concentration, 0.43% (95% CI: 0.08%, 0.79%) in progressive motility, and 0.50% (95% CI: 0.14%, 0.87%) in total motility. These associations were consistent across different buffer sizes. The associations were more pronounced during the 70–90 lag days prior to semen collection (spermatogenesis stage) and among men aged ≥ 40 years or those with lower education levels. ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that exposure to residential greenness may act as an innovative protective factor for semen quality.

Quantifying residents' exposure to agricultural pesticides using new geospatial approaches

A better understanding of environmental exposure to agricultural pesticides is crucial for public health, regulatory and management purposes. Residents in close vicinity to agricultural fields are likely to be more exposed to pesticides. In that context, an innovative geospatial approach for mapping estimates of agricultural pesticide exposure was developed in this study.Data on pesticide application rates, high-resolution annual datasets of the geographic distribution of crops, and the 100x100m grid population dataset were utilized to complete this analysis in Wallonia (Belgium) over the period 2015-2019. Pesticide exposure metrics were estimated using a buffer-based exposure model by conducting neighborhood analysis within a 1000m buffer radius. Subsequently, a population weighted method was used to ‘up-scale’ the exposure data to administrative levels. In a limited validation effort, model estimates were compared with pesticide measurements in air collected at 12 stations during the period 2015-2016.The results present the first modeling map of environmental exposure to agricultural pesticides for the whole of the Walloon region. The northern part of the Sambre-Meuse axis demonstrates more intensive agriculture and the highest pesticide weighted exposure indices. The majority of the population resides near agricultural areas, with only 4% living in regions that lack crops within a 1000m radius, primarily in the central areas of large cities. A positive trend association between pesticide measures in air and the index was observed at the different stations, nevertheless further validation efforts are needed to accurately compare the same active ingredients.This work gives a valuable basis for research and environmental health actions in Belgium. Maps highlight areas where human biomonitoring and epidemiological studies should be implemented to investigate the impact of potential environmental exposure to pesticides. This information helps policy-makers to take measures to control and reduce the load of agricultural pesticides in the environment.

Using Geographic Momentary Assessment to Explore Spatial Environment Influences on Wellbeing in People With HIV.

Place-based socio-economic and racial inequities contribute to health disparities among people with HIV (PWH). We used geographic ecological momentary assessment (GEMA) methodologies to explore the interplay between psychosocial outcomes in daily diaries and community spatial measures among PWH in New Orleans. PWH (N = 69) were recruited from a clinic-based cohort study. Micro-longitudinal data were collected via smartphone-based daily diaries and geospatial tracking over 14 days. First, correlations were run between diary derived outcomes (e.g., feeling safe in current location, stress), and spatial measures (e.g., violent crime, alcohol outlets, and vacant lots) within a half-mile buffer around each diary point to understand the real time associations between mood and space. Next, we fit multilevel models, controlling for between-person effects, to assess within-person associations between accumulative spatial daily violence exposure (50m, 100m and 200m buffers), and measures of daily mood and coping. Violent crime, alcohol outlets and vacant lots were inversely correlated with feeling safe and positively correlated with perceived ease of obtaining drugs. Vacant lots were positively associated with stress and inversely correlated with positive mood. Within individuals, higher daily accumulated violence exposure was associated with increased rumination at the 50m buffer level, decreased trust in oneself and others at the 100m buffer, and decreased ratio of positive/negative mood at all buffers. Our results emphasize the intricate interplay between mental wellness, coping mechanisms, and spatial measures in PWH. Future research and interventions for PWH should consider how spatial factors may influence PWH in terms of mental health and care engagement.

Greenness and mortality in an industrialized area in Southern Italy: a health impact assessment study

Abstract Background In Taranto the effects of industrial installations have been studied, but less attention has been placed on the impacts of green-oriented policies. The “3-30-300” rule states that every citizen should have 30% tree-canopy-cover in their neighborhood and not live more than 300m away from the nearest green space. In this Health Impact Assessment (HIA) study, we aimed to quantify the deaths that could be prevented in population aged ≥20 years by implementing this policy in Taranto. Methods Population weighted exposures (PWE) to green spaces (10m) were estimated using the 2022 greenest season NDVI from Sentinel-2 and the 2021 ESA WorldCover within a 300m (WHO 2016) buffer. We set a tree-cover optimal target of 30% and interim targets from 10% to 25%. For each tree-cover target, we set the counterfactual exposure (CE) as the corresponding PWE to NDVI. Age-specific preventable deaths (PD) were calculated by multiplying the baseline deaths (ISTAT) by the preventable fractions (PF). Preventable years of life lost (PYLL) were calculated by multiplying the PD by the specific life expectancy. To compute the 95%CI, we ran 100,000 Monte Carlo simulations to propagate the uncertainties of both CE and ERF to the final estimates. Results The PWEs to NDVI and tree-cover-proportion were 0.19 and 8.0%, respectively. For the 30% tree-cover target (currently achieved by the 1.5% of population), the CE (NDVI) and PF (%) were 0.33 (0.32-0.33) and 5.4% (4.1%-6.2%). A total of 126 (97-146) PD and 1270 (976-1474) PYLL were estimated. Three-cover, shrubland and grassland were associated to higher NDVI values, while built-up and deprivation-index were associated to lower greenness. NDVI and summer temperature showed an inverse relationship. Conclusions This study as a pioneering effort in Southern Italy. Providing more green space could prevent a substantial number of premature deaths in Taranto, potentially up to 5.4% by achieving a 30% tree-cover. Key messages • Providing more green space could prevent a substantial number of premature deaths in Taranto, potentially up to 5.4% by achieving a 30% tree-cover. • Built-up and deprivation-index were associated to lower greenness. NDVI and summer temperature showed an inverse relationship.

Regional subsidence monitoring and prediction along high-speed railways based on PS-InSAR and LSTM

The rapid construction of high-speed railways in China has forced more and more routes to pass through slow subsidence zones caused by groundwater extraction or underground mining. It is crucial to carry out deformation monitoring and prediction those areas along high-speed railways to ensure the safe operation. Twenty-nine periods of Sentinel-1A data between Taiyuan South Station and Taigu East Station were first processed using the PS-InSAR technique, and the ground subsidence sequences at ten typical points were selected. Then the Variational modal decomposition (VMD) was combined with the Adaptive Boosting Algorithm (AdaBoost), and the VMD-LSTMAda-LSTMAda model was constructed by combining the long short-term memory (LSTM) model for the prediction of regional ground subsidence along the high-speed railway. The results show that the cumulative subsidence within the 200 m buffer of the line centreline is − 37.58 − 89.19 mm, and the annual average subsidence rate is − 26.57 − 82.63 mm/y. The proposed model can reduce the complexity of the deformation sequence and combines with AdaBoost to improve the prediction accuracy of the LSTM model. It performs well in terms of RMSE, MAE, MAPE, and R2 at the two feature points (3703: RMSE = 0.82 mm, MAE = 0.25 mm, MAPE = 6.31%, and R2 = 0.94; 522: RMSE = 1.32 mm, MAE = 0.46 mm, MAPE = 4.92%, R2 = 0.95). The model improves the accuracy of regional subsidence prediction along the high-speed railway.

The association between green space around schools, screen time for entertainment, and adolescent depressive symptoms: A nationwide study from China

BackgroundNatural green environments are beneficial to people's mental health, while too much screen time may be harmful to adolescents' mental health. However, it is not clear how green spaces and screen time affect mental health together in adolescents. MethodsA total of 22,868 adolescents were recruited from October to December 2021 in eight cities in China, through multistage cluster sampling. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to investigate adolescents' depressive symptoms, and the Normalised Vegetation Index for the 200m, 500m and 1000m buffer zones around the school represents the green cover around the school. We used binary logistic regression to analyse the association between green space, screen time and depressive symptoms. ResultsIn fully adjusted models, the highest quartile of NDVI in the 200m, 500m and 1000m buffer zones around the school was a protective factor for depressive symptoms. For less than 2 h of recreational screen time, the highest quartiles of the NDVI and the association with depressive symptoms were negatively correlated for the 200m, 500m and 1000m buffer zones (NDVI200: 0.904(0.848–0.964)), NDVI500: 0.863(0.808–0.921), NDVI1000: 0.862(0.808–0.920)). The highest quartiles of NDVI in all buffers were not associated with depressive symptoms when the screen time was >2 h. The association between green space and depressive symptoms at lower recreational screen time was observed to be stronger in the group of adolescents with a lower family economic status (NDVI200: 0.780(0.695–0.876), NDVI500: 0.838(0.748–0.938), NDVI1000: 0.783(0.698–0.879)). No potential gender differences were observed. ConclusionsFor adolescents with less than 2 h of recreational screen time per day, the greenery around the school had a protective effect on their mental health, especially for adolescents from economically disadvantaged families. Green spaces around schools are significant in improving health inequities.

12513 Prenatal Traffic Exposures Are Associated With Earlier Age At Menarche

Abstract Disclosure: E.L. Silva: None. Z. Wang: None. S. Rifas-Shiman: None. A. Fleisch: None. H. Gibson: None. D. Gold: None. J. Chavarro: None. M. Hivert: None. E. Oken: None. B. Coull: None. J.E. Hart: None. T. James-Todd: None. S. Mahalingaiah: None. Background: The trend towards younger age at menarche over several decades has raised concern as earlier menarche is associated with various adverse health outcomes throughout adulthood including higher risk of early menopause, reproductive cancers, and metabolic disease. Some have suggested environmental exposures early in life may contribute to the temporal trend. Here we aimed to determine the extent to which prenatal residential measures of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), and other markers for traffic-related air pollution are associated with earlier age at menarche. Study Methods: Our study population included all female offspring in Project Viva, a pre-birth prospective cohort, with available age at menarche data. We used daily spatiotemporal models to estimate prenatal residential PM2.5 and BC exposures overall and by trimester. Residential proximity to major roadway and traffic density within a 100m buffer were measured at birth. Age at menarche was assessed via questionnaires during pre-teen and teen years. We used Cox proportional hazards modeling, adjusted for sociodemographic variables and census tract median household income, to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between air pollutants and age at menarche (months), where HR>1 indicates earlier onset of age at menarche associated with increased exposure to air pollutants. We weighted observations by the inverse probability of having available outcome data among all female offspring to account for cohort attrition. Results: The study included 638 females born between 2000 and 2003. Mean (standard deviation (SD)) age at menarche was 12.7 (1.4) years. Mean (SD) prenatal PM2.5 and BC exposures were 11.3 (1.5) g/m3 and 0.72 (0.21) g/m3, respectively. Only 7% of the cohort lived within 100m of a major roadway at birth. Prenatal PM2.5 exposure was not associated with age at menarche and the exposure distribution was mostly below US standards at the time (range: 6.8-15.8 g/m3, interquartile range (IQR): 2.0-3.0 g/m3). Higher overall prenatal and 3rd trimester BC were associated with earlier age at menarche [e.g., HR: 1.26 (95% CI, 1.04, 1.54) per IQR increment in 3rd trimester BC]. Living within 100m of a major roadway (versus 200m) [HR = 1.42 (95% CI, 1.08, 1.86)] and living in areas in the 2nd or 3rd (versus 1st) tertile of traffic density [2nd tertile: HR = 1.37 (95% CI, 1.07, 1.76); 3rd tertile: HR = 1.30 (95% CI, 1.02, 1.66)] at birth were also associated with earlier age at menarche. Conclusions: Higher prenatal exposure to BC, closer residential proximity to road major roadways, and higher traffic density were all associated with earlier age at menarche. The 3rd prenatal trimester and the window around birth may be especially important for traffic-related endocrine-disrupting and pro-inflammatory exposures with potential to accelerate puberty timing among females. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Exploring the pathways linking prenatal and early childhood greenness exposure to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms during childhood: An approach based on robust causal inference

BackgroundEpidemiological studies suggest that exposure to greenness during childhood may protect children from developing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ObjectiveWe analyzed the effect of both prenatal (pregnancy) and early childhood (4-5-year follow-up) residential greenness exposure and green space availability on ADHD symptoms during childhood (up to the age of 12 years) and further explored the potential mediating role of PM2.5 and physical activity in the association. MethodsThe study population included participants from the INfancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA) prospective birth cohort (Gipuzkoa, Sabadell, and Valencia). Average Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in buffers of 100-, 300- and 500-m around the residential addresses was used as an indicator of greenness, while green space availability was determined based on the presence of a major green space within 150-m from the residence. Childhood ADHD symptoms were assessed at the 6-8- and 10-12-year follow-ups using Conners Parents Rating Scale-Revised: Short Form. ResultsAlthough no association was found for the prenatal exposure period, increased early childhood NDVI inversely associated with the OR of clinically significant ADHD symptoms during the 6-8-year follow-up at the 100-m (OR 0.03, 95% CI: 0.003 to 0.44), 300-m (OR 0.04, 95% CI: 0.003 to 0.42) and 500-m (OR 0.08, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.76) buffers, but exclusively in the context of direct effects. Additionally, the 10-12-year follow-up analysis found moderate to weak evidence of potential total and direct effects of NDVI at both 100- and 300-m buffers on inattention scores, as well as for NDVI at the 300-m buffer on ADHD index scores. The analysis did not reveal evidence of mediation through PM2.5 or physical activity. ConclusionsThe evidence suggests that early childhood greenness exposure may reduce the risk of developing ADHD symptoms later in childhood, and that this association is not mediated through PM2.5 and physical activity.

The impact of green space on nonaccidental and cause-specific mortality in the Adventist Health Study-2 population.

There is growing interest in evaluating the long-term health effects of neighborhood environments, particularly green space. However, only a limited body of research further incorporates multiple ambient air pollutants. This study looked at the relationship between green space, as measured by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and mortality adjusted by key confounders in the Adventist Health Study-2, a longitudinal cohort study from 2002 to 2015, across the contiguous United States (N = 67,400). We used Cox proportional hazard regression models to assess the risk of nonaccidental, cardiovascular disease (CVD), ischemic heart disease (IHD), and respiratory disease mortality from green space around subjects' home address under multiple covariate and pollutant adjustments. We found a 0.1 unit increase in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was associated with nonaccidental (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.96 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93, 0.99]), CVD (HR: 0.94 [95% CI: 0.90, 0.98]), and IHD (HR: 0.87 [95% CI: 0.81, 0.94]) mortality, with the greatest precision in fully adjusted three-pollutant models using the 1000-m buffer. Effect estimates were strengthened in urban areas, when incorporating seasons, and for females. However, all associations between green space and respiratory mortality were null. This study supports evidence that increased neighborhood green space is inversely associated with nonaccidental, CVD, and IHD mortality, where the inclusion of multiple environmental covariates had a greater impact on effect estimate magnitude and precision than adjustment by individual lifestyle and health factors.

Linking joint exposures to residential greenness and air pollution with adults’ social health in dense Hong Kong

Despite the growing recognition of the impact of urban environments on social health, limited research explores the combined associations of multiple urban exposures, particularly in dense cities. This study examines the interplay between greenspace, air pollution, and social health as well as the underlying pathways and population heterogeneity in Hong Kong using cross-sectional survey data from 1977 adults and residential environmental data. Social health includes social contacts, relations, and support. Greenspace used street-view greenness (SVG), park density, and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). 100-m daily ground NO2 and O3, indicative of air pollution, were derived using a spatiotemporal deep learning model. Mediators involved physical activity and negative emotions. Main analyses were performed in a 1000-m buffer with multivariate logistical regressions, stratification, interaction, and Partial Lease Square - Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Multi-exposure models revealed positive associations between park density/SVG and social contacts, as well as between SVG and social relations, while O3 was negatively associated with social relations/support. Significant moderators included age, birthplace, employment, and education. PLS-SEM indicated direct positive associations between SVG and social contacts/relations and significant indirect negative associations between NO2/O3 and social health via negative emotions. This study adds to urban health research by exploring complex relationships between greenspace, air pollution, and social health, highlighting the role of the environment in fostering social restoration.

Semi-natural habitats are key to breeding bird diversity in intensified vineyard landscapes across Europe

In climatically suitable regions across Europe, vineyards can be the dominant perennial crop type. While many wine-growing landscapes are intensively managed, they may still be an attractive habitat for a wide range of bird species. In this study we investigated how breeding birds in three wine-growing regions in Europe (Germany: Palatinate, France: Bordeaux, Austria: Leithaberg) are influenced by the composition of the landscape, focussing on woody semi-natural vegetation.We recorded bird vocalizations with autonomous sound recorders in 93 landscapes across Europe. Bird species were identified according to their songs and calls. The landscape in a 200-m buffer around the recording points was mapped. In total, we recorded 72 bird species, including species typical for vineyard landscapes such as cirl bunting (Emberiza cirlus), hoopoe (Upupa epops) and turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur). For all three countries we found that an increase in overall woody vegetation in the landscape led to an increase in species richness and altered community composition. Most species were recorded in landscapes with abundant hedges, small woods and tree rows rather than in vineyard-dominated landscapes but e.g. woodlark (Lullula arborea) and linnet (Linaria cannabina) showed an opposite preference.We conclude that in intensively used wine-growing landscapes the ongoing decline in farmland birds and the ecosystem services they provide can be reversed by the reintroduction of semi-natural woody vegetation between vineyards. These in many cases linear structural elements can be included in the landscape with only small losses in production area.

Association of fine particulate matter and residential green space with rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundFine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a recognized risk factor for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, but the association between PM2.5 and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is still controversial. Additionally, evidence on the relationship of green space with RA is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the separate and combined associations of PM2.5 and green space with risk of RA. MethodsOur study involved 30,684 participants from the Yinzhou cohort in Ningbo, China. PM2.5 concentrations were determined using a land-use regression model. Residential green space was assessed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) from satellite images. We employed the Cox proportional hazard model to evaluate the relationships of PM2.5 and green space with RA. ResultsDuring the 176,894 person-years of follow-up period, 354 cases of RA were identified. Hazard ratio (HR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for every interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 were 1.23 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.49). Compared with lower exposure to residential green space, individuals living in areas with more green space had a decreased risk of RA (HR was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.92), 0.80 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.92), and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.89) for 250m, 500m, and 1000m NDVI buffers, respectively). Similar results were observed for the association between EVI and RA. Furthermore, a significant multiplicative interaction was observed between PM2.5 and green space (NDVI 250m and EVI 250m). No mediating effect of PM2.5 on the relationship between green space and RA was observed. ConclusionOur findings indicated that living in areas with higher green space was linked to a reduced risk of RA, whereas living in areas with higher PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of RA. The beneficial effect of high green space may be offset by exposure to PM2.5.

Impact of childhood exposure to traffic related air pollution on adult cardiometabolic health: Exploring the role of perceived stress

BackgroundLittle is known about how childhood exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and stress interact to affect adults' cardiometabolic health. We examined this interaction and assessed the impact of over 10 years of childhood TRAP exposure on cardiometabolic health. MethodsFrom 2018 to 2023, 313 young adults from the Southern California Children's Health Study were enrolled in a follow-up assessment. Using CALINE4 line source dispersion model, average childhood TRAP exposures (from pregnancy to age 13) were estimated for nitrogen oxides (NOx) from all roads. Traffic density was calculated within a 300-m residential buffer. Cardiometabolic health was assessed in adulthood (mean age 24 ± 1.7) based on blood lipids (total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein [HDL, LDL], triglycerides), glucose metabolism (fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c), body composition (BMI, android/gynoid ratio [AG ratio], percent body fat), and blood pressure. A PDAY (Pathobiologic Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth) score was generated to evaluate overall cardiometabolic health. Participants' perceived stress was assessed in childhood and adulthood (ages 13 and 24 years, respectively). ResultsResults of mixed effects linear models, adjusted for demographics and smoking status, suggested that each standard deviation increase in childhood exposure to traffic-related total NOx was associated with 0.62 increase in PDAY score (95% Confidence Interval [CI]:0.10,1.14), 0.09% increase in HbA1c (95%CI: 0.04, 0.15), 1.19% increase in percent body fat (95%CI: 0.18, 2.20), and 0.96 kg/m2 increase in BMI (0.11, 1.80) in adulthood. Among participants with higher childhood stress levels, we observed significant associations of traffic-related total NOx with total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, HbA1c, insulin, and BMI. None of these associations were significant among people with lower stress levels. We observed similar statistically significant associations of traffic density. ConclusionLong-term childhood exposure to TRAP in childhood may have lasting adverse impacts on cardiometabolic health, especially for children with higher stress levels.

Land use regression model to predict nitrogen dioxide in the greater Philadelphia area

Because of greater concern of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution for urban residents, monitoring efforts are typically focused in urban areas. However, large populations in suburban areas near urban centers may also experience elevated NO2 levels. This study focuses on the application of a land use regression (LUR) model to predict NO2 pollution in the suburban and urban areas around the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Air pollutant measurements used for the LUR was obtained from Ogawa™ passive samplers, which were deployed at several sites (n = 15) throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. Passive samplers were deployed for two weeks each during the fall, winter, and spring months between 2021 and 2022. Predictor data included various spatial buffers of land use, landcover, and traffic counts, as well as distances to various roadway types. The best LUR model based on regression statistics (F-statistic with 4 and 10 degrees of freedom = 5.111, p < 0.05) showed that mean NO2 concentrations increase within a 1000m buffer of annual average daily traffic. The model shows a patchwork of NO2 concentrations throughout the study area that could indicate regional and local emissions. The results highlight spatial variations of elevated concentrations influenced by a mix of land use, including roads, residential, and industrial areas.

Nurturing attention through nature

BackgroundPrevious research suggests an association between exposure to nature and improved attention. However, no observational studies explored the underlying mechanisms or considered bluespace, and none used Polish data. We investigated the association between exposure to nature and attention, and whether it was mediated by nature perception, physical activity and sleep duration. MethodsData derived from the case-control NeuroSmog study comprised 195 participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 457 participants without ADHD, all aged 10 to 13. Attention was evaluated using the computerized attention network test and the continuous performance test. Lifelong and current exposure to nature, determined by percentage of grass and tree cover and water presence within 500m buffer around residences, as well as domestic garden, were examined through linear, log-linear and negative binomial regressions. Potential pathways were explored using structural equation modelling. ResultsParticipants with ADHD with higher exposure to tree cover tended to have improved orienting ability, shorter reaction time and fewer correct rejections, while participants without ADHD tended to show decreased alertness and improved orienting ability. Participants with ADHD with higher exposure to grass cover tended to have longer reaction time, decreased alertness, improved orienting ability, reduced target discrimination ability, fewer correct rejections and less risky response style, while participants without ADHD tended to show decreased orienting ability, more mistakes, longer reaction time, better hit rate and more risky response style. Participants without ADHD with water in their neighbourhood tended to have improved orienting ability, fewer mistakes and better hit rate. Participants without ADHD with a garden tended to show improved target discrimination ability, better hit rate and more risky response style. No mediating pathways were revealed. ConclusionTree cover and presence of garden and water tended to be associated with improved attention in Polish adolescents while grass tended to have negative impact.

Exploring the relationship between preferred routes for walking exercise and green space layout in a dense urban area: a series of poisson regression models

ABSTRACT The literature considers urban green spaces as a key to promoting physical activity and health. Despite the increasingly recognized walking exercise promotion benefits of urban green spaces, the relationship between walking exercise preferences and green space layout remains unclear. We extracted preferred routes for walking exercise and measured the route heat using a one-year shared data of walking exercise from a mobile outdoor assistant app in the old city of Fuzhou, China. We then evaluated green space layout features within a 500-m buffer zone along the preferred routes in dimensions of scale, form, and function. The relationship between the route heat and green space layout features was analyzed using a series of poisson regression models, with the influence of urban morphology and the built environment allocation being controlled. Results showed that there existed a significant association between preferred routes for walking exercise and the combination of green space layout, urban morphology, and the built environment allocation; the route heat had positive associations with NDVI and comprehensive park area density, and showed negative associations with patch shape index and patch density. This study illustrates the necessity for targeted intervention strategies to promote the development of walkable and healthy urban areas.

Associations of residential greenness with behavioural, physical, and mental health: a Hong Kong study during the fifth wave of COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Exposure to greenspace is protective of physical and mental health, but its role during the COVID-19 pandemic is unclear. We examined cross-sectional associations of residential greenness with behavioural, physical, and mental health outcomes during the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong. A questionnaire of n = 160 participants assessed frequency of greenspace visits, physical activity from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and physical and mental health based on the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey. Residential greenspace was measured in terms of number of greenspace within a 400-m buffer, proximity to greenspace, and Landsat-derived Normalised Difference Vegetation Index as a metric of quality. Residing in higher greenness tertiles within 400 m was associated with higher odds of at least weekly visits to greenspace (OR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.20-8.69 for the middle and OR = 5.62; 95% CI: 2.08-15.21 for highest tertiles) relative to the lowest exposure tertile. The count of residential greenspace was protectively associated with physical and mental health outcomes. The beneficial association between greenness and weekly usage remained robust at 500 m and was significant only among private housing residents. Policies towards scaling up and optimising residential greenness may constitute important public health interventions for enhancing population-level health and resilience during societal shocks

Urban residential greenness and cancer mortality: Evaluating the causal mediation role of air pollution in a large cohort

Evidence linking greenness to all-site and site-specific cancers remains limited, and the complex role of air pollution in this pathway is unclear. We aimed to fill these gaps by using a large cohort in southern China. A total of 654,115 individuals were recruited from 2009 to 2015 and followed-up until December 2020. We calculated the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in a 500-m buffer around the participants’ residences to represent the greenness exposure. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to evaluate the impact of greenness on the risk of all-site and site-specific cancer mortality. Additionally, we assessed both the mediation and interaction roles of air pollution (i.e., PM2.5, PM10, and NO2) in the greenness–cancer association through a causal mediation analysis using a four-way decomposition method. Among the 577,643 participants, 10,088 cancer deaths were recorded. We found a 10% (95% CI: 5–16%) reduction in all-site cancer mortality when the NDVI increased from the lowest to the highest quartile. When stratified by cancer type, our estimates suggested 18% (95% CI: 8–27%) and 51% (95% CI: 16–71%) reductions in mortality due to respiratory system cancer and brain and nervous system cancer, respectively. For the above protective effect, a large proportion could be explained by the mediation (all-site cancer: 1.0–27.7%; respiratory system cancer: 1.2–32.3%; brain and nervous system cancer: 3.6–109.1%) and negative interaction (all-site cancer: 2.1–25.7%; respiratory system cancer: 2.0–25.7%; brain and nervous system cancer: not significant) effects of air pollution. We found that particulate matter (i.e., PM2.5 and PM10) had a stronger causal mediation effect (25.0–109.1%) than NO2 (1.0–3.6%), while NO2 had a stronger interaction effect (25.7%) than particulate matter (2.0–2.8%). In summary, greenness was significantly beneficial in reducing the mortality of all-site, respiratory system, and brain and nervous system cancer in southern China, with the impact being modulated and mediated by air pollution.

Simulating the impact of greenspace exposure on metabolic biomarkers in a diverse population living in San Diego, California: A g-computation application.

Growing evidence exists that greenspace exposure can reduce metabolic syndrome risk, a growing public health concern with well-documented inequities across population subgroups. We capitalize on the use of g-computation to simulate the influence of multiple possible interventions on residential greenspace on nine metabolic biomarkers and metabolic syndrome in adults (N = 555) from the 2014-2017 Community of Mine Study living in San Diego County, California. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) exposure from 2017 was averaged across a 400-m buffer around the participants' residential addresses. Participants' fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c (%), waist circumference, and metabolic syndrome were assessed as outcomes of interest. Using parametric g-computation, we calculated risk differences for participants being exposed to each decile of the participant NDVI distribution compared to minimum NDVI. Differential health impacts from NDVI exposure by sex, ethnicity, income, and age were examined. We found that a hypothetical increase in NDVI exposure led to a decrease in hemoglobin A1c (%), glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, an increase in fasting total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations, and minimal changes to systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and metabolic syndrome. The impact of NDVI changes was greater in women, Hispanic individuals, and those under 65 years old. G-computation helps to simulate the potential health benefits of differential NDVI exposure and identifies which subpopulations can benefit most from targeted interventions aimed at minimizing health disparities.

Neighborhood Resources Associated With Psychological Trajectories and Neural Reactivity to Reward After Trauma

Research on resilience after trauma has often focused on individual-level factors (eg, ability to cope with adversity) and overlooked influential neighborhood-level factors that may help mitigate the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To investigate whether an interaction between residential greenspace and self-reported individual resources was associated with a resilient PTSD trajectory (ie, low/no symptoms) and to test if the association between greenspace and PTSD trajectory was mediated by neural reactivity to reward. As part of a longitudinal cohort study, trauma survivors were recruited from emergency departments across the US. Two weeks after trauma, a subset of participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during a monetary reward task. Study data were analyzed from January to November 2023. Residential greenspace within a 100-m buffer of each participant's home address was derived from satellite imagery and quantified using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and perceived individual resources measured by the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). PTSD symptom severity measured at 2 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after trauma. Neural responses to monetary reward in reward-related regions (ie, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, orbitofrontal cortex) was a secondary outcome. Covariates included both geocoded (eg, area deprivation index) and self-reported characteristics (eg, childhood maltreatment, income). In 2597 trauma survivors (mean [SD] age, 36.5 [13.4] years; 1637 female [63%]; 1304 non-Hispanic Black [50.2%], 289 Hispanic [11.1%], 901 non-Hispanic White [34.7%], 93 non-Hispanic other race [3.6%], and 10 missing/unreported [0.4%]), 6 PTSD trajectories (resilient, nonremitting high, nonremitting moderate, slow recovery, rapid recovery, delayed) were identified through latent-class mixed-effect modeling. Multinominal logistic regressions revealed that for individuals with higher CD-RISC scores, greenspace was associated with a greater likelihood of assignment in a resilient trajectory compared with nonremitting high (Wald z test = -3.92; P < .001), nonremitting moderate (Wald z test = -2.24; P = .03), or slow recovery (Wald z test = -2.27; P = .02) classes. Greenspace was also associated with greater neural reactivity to reward in the amygdala (n = 288; t277 = 2.83; adjusted P value = 0.02); however, reward reactivity did not differ by PTSD trajectory. In this cohort study, greenspace and self-reported individual resources were significantly associated with PTSD trajectories. These findings suggest that factors at multiple ecological levels may contribute to the likelihood of resiliency to PTSD after trauma.