Health Of Urban Populations Research Articles

Urban burden of disease estimation for policy making

Abstract Introduction The Urban Burden of Disease Estimation for Policy Making (UBDPolicy) project aims to estimate the health impacts resulting from urban and transport planning related exposures in nearly 1000 European cities. So far, quantitative burden of disease assessments have estimated premature mortality attributable to the environmental stressors of air pollution, noise, urban heat islands and lack of green space for the year 2015. Regular reporting and trend monitoring of the health impacts associated with urban environments is crucial for assessing the wider impacts of urban and transport planning. Methods For almost 1000 European cities, quantitative Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) will be conducted that employ the comparative risk assessment methodology. Baseline exposure levels of air pollution, noise, urban heat islands and green space will be estimated and preventable health impacts modelled using counterfactual exposure scenarios. Analysis will comprise two components: firstly, the 2018 HIA will incorporate multiple environmental exposures for that year, while the second component will monitor trends at three-yearly reporting intervals covering the years of 2015, 2018, 2021 and 2024. Results Results are intended to shape evidence-informed urban planning and policies throughout Europe. By ranking cities according to environmental exposures and health impacts, cities are encouraged to address challenges and learn from successful urban design and planning policies in other cities. Discussion HIAs serve as an effective tool for identifying the health impacts of current and future urban policies. The provision of burden of disease estimates will provide policy-makers and practitioners robust data for informed decision-making, while estimates over time will allow tracking of changes from implemented policies. To fully harness the potential of cities as key drivers of sustainable and healthy living, robust evidence must be at the forefront of this change. Key messages • A multitude of urban and transport planning pathways contribute toward the health of urban populations. • Compact city designs often promote health, however there are exceptions.

Social and environmental outcomes of urban street tree bed stewardship

Abstract As projections of exponential urbanization persist, promoting the health of urban populations is one of the most urgent and challenging issues of the 21st century. By taking a planetary health approach and considering the reciprocal relationship between human health and the health of ecosystems, the integration of nature-based solutions into cities can address multiple urban challenges at once. Citizen stewardship of street trees and street tree beds is one such nature-based solution that challenges rapid urbanization while offering a healthier and greener future. Not only does citizen stewardship of street trees play a significant role in tree longevity, but our research suggests that the process of stewardship itself also positively impacts the health and wellbeing of stewards themselves. In this study, we sought to assess the motivations of street tree citizen stewards and the perceived social, environmental, and health effects of stewarding street tree beds in Freiburg, Germany. Based on a questionnaire-based survey and semi-structured interviews with tree stewards, we found that the most common motivations of citizen stewards were modeling positive environmental behavior as well as a desire to help the environment and one’s community. The perceived outcomes included a strong sense of place, a meaningful connection to nature, and the belief that stewarding a street tree bed is good for one’s mental health as well as the environment. Participants also considered street tree beds to be their personal gardens, suggesting that street tree beds may serve as restorative spaces that strengthen public health and social capital while sustaining urban greening. This case study supports and expands the scientific discourse of urban gardening while suggesting that citizen stewardship of street trees and tree beds offers myriad co-benefits for urban ecosystems and public health.

Air pollution, viral spread and health outcomes evidence from strikes in France.

To evidence the impact of air pollution on the health of urban populations, several studies use natural experiments that shift commuting from public transport to cars (or vice-versa). However, as public transport use declines, reduced interpersonal contact may lead to slower virus spread and thus lower respiratory morbidity. Using a difference-in-differences strategy, we show that respiratory hospitalisations are both positively affected by air pollution and negatively affected by viral spread following partial unavailability of public transport due to strikes in the ten most populated French cities during the period 2010-2015. Our results are in line with studies in other countries that have found a significant increase in urgent respiratory hospitalisations following a public transport strike, most likely due to car pollution, but we also find a detectable interaction with viral spread, which should not be overlooked when interpreting these studies.

A Systematic Assessment of Greening Interventions for Developing Best Practices for Urban Heat Mitigation—The Case of Huế, Vietnam

The health of urban populations is increasingly at risk due to the amplification and chronification of urban heat stress by climate change. This is particularly true for urban environments in humid tropical climates, including many cities in Southeast Asia. It is also in these locations where increasing climatic risks may be exacerbated by urban growth, underscoring the need to develop effective mitigation strategies for strengthening urban resilience and supporting climate change adaptation. Conservation and widespread implementation of green infrastructure (GI) are regarded as one means to counter heat as a public health threat. However, for lower-income countries across Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam, knowledge gaps remain with respect to the effectiveness of greening interventions for heat mitigation. To address this gap, in the context of urban expansion in the humid tropical city of Huế, Vietnam, diurnal cooling potential and regulation of outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) within a wide, shallow street canyon were systematically assessed for selected elements of GI along a quantitative and qualitative dimension using ENVI-met. Tree-based interventions were found to be most effective, potentially decreasing UTCI by −1.9 K at the domain level. Although lower in magnitude, green verges and green facades were also found to contribute to OTC, with green verges decreasing UTCI by up to −1.7 K and green facades by up to −1.4 K locally. Potential synergistic cooling impacts were identified through a combination of GI elements. However, no scenario was found to decrease heat stress to zero or moderate levels. Substantially reducing heat stress may thus require further measures and a closer consideration of local morphological characteristics.

The Role of Urban Green Spaces on Life Satisfaction and Migration Willingness in Tirana, Albania

In the framework of place attachment we explore how green spaces contribute to life satisfaction in a context of high emigration rates. We propose that green spaces affect life satisfaction of the population through the mediation of physical health and mental health, and this relationship is moderated by migration willingness. We conducted our study in March–April 2021 in the city of Tirana, Albania. Using physical and mental health indicators, our results demonstrate that urban green spaces directly and indirectly affect life satisfaction. The mediators with the highest impact on life satisfaction are psychological distress and well-being. Green space exposure plays a role in influencing health outcomes, but the relationship is not moderated by migration willingness, and it shows a higher impact on participants with better mental health. Designing more and improved urban green spaces is a pathway to positively affect the health and well-being of urban populations.

AIR QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH: A REVIEW OF URBAN POLLUTION SOURCES AND MITIGATION MEASURES

Urbanization has led to unprecedented challenges in maintaining air quality, significantly impacting public health. This review delves into the diverse sources of urban pollution and explores effective mitigation measures to safeguard public well-being. The rising concentration of pollutants in urban areas, primarily attributed to industrial activities, vehicular emissions, and domestic energy consumption, poses a severe threat to the respiratory and cardiovascular health of urban populations. The review begins by examining the key sources of urban pollution, highlighting the complex interplay between anthropogenic activities and their cumulative impact on air quality. Industrial emissions, characterized by the release of particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and hazardous chemicals, contribute significantly to urban air pollution. Likewise, the surge in vehicular traffic, fueled by rapid urbanization, introduces pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, further exacerbating the problem. To address these challenges, the review explores a spectrum of mitigation measures. Implementation of stringent emission standards for industries, adoption of cleaner technologies, and promotion of renewable energy sources emerge as critical strategies. Additionally, urban planning initiatives focusing on efficient public transportation systems, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and green spaces are examined as effective means to reduce vehicular emissions and enhance air quality. The review also underscores the importance of public awareness campaigns and community engagement in fostering a collective commitment to air quality improvement. Innovative technological solutions, such as air quality monitoring networks and real-time data analytics, are discussed as indispensable tools for informed decision-making and prompt intervention. This review synthesizes current knowledge on urban pollution sources and mitigation measures, emphasizing the urgent need for a multidimensional approach to protect public health. By comprehensively addressing the intricate web of pollution contributors and implementing proactive measures, urban environments can be transformed into healthier and sustainable spaces for all residents.
 Keywords: Air Quality, Public Health, Urban Pollution, Mitigation, Review.

Supervised Machine Learning Approaches for Predicting Key Pollutants and for the Sustainable Enhancement of Urban Air Quality: A Systematic Review

Urban air pollution is a pressing global issue driven by factors such as swift urbanization, population expansion, and heightened industrial activities. To address this challenge, the integration of Machine Learning (ML) into smart cities presents a promising avenue. Our article offers comprehensive insights into recent advancements in air quality research, employing the PRISMA method as a cornerstone for the reviewing process, while simultaneously exploring the application of frequently employed ML methodologies. Focusing on supervised learning algorithms, the study meticulously analyzes air quality data, elucidating their unique benefits and challenges. These frequently employed ML techniques, including LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory), RF (Random Forest), ANN (Artificial Neural Networks), and SVR (Support Vector Regression), are instrumental in our quest for cleaner, healthier urban environments. By accurately predicting key pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3), these methods offer tangible solutions for society. They enable informed decision-making for urban planners and policymakers, leading to proactive, sustainable strategies to combat urban air pollution. As a result, the well-being and health of urban populations are significantly improved. In this revised abstract, the importance of frequently employed ML methods in the context of air quality is explicitly emphasized, underlining their role in improving urban environments and enhancing the well-being of urban populations.

Thermal assessments at local and micro scales during hot summer days: a case study of Belgrade (Serbia)

Increasing thermal risk in cities is endangering the health and well-being of urban population and is driven by climate change and intensive urbanization. Therefore, if we plan to enlarge the capacities of cities to be more climate resilient in the 21st century, more detailed monitoring of urban climate on local and micro scales is needed. For this research we performed two microclimate measurement campaigns in urban area of Belgrade, during hot summer days in 2021. In total, five measurement sites were chosen in different urban designs and different local climate zones (LCZs). For thermal monitoring (air temperature – Ta and globe temperature – Tg) the Kestrel heat stress tracker sensor with 1-min measurement resolution was used, but we used 10-min average values. Obtained results showed distinct thermal differences (up to 7 °C on average) between densely built-up areas and green areas. Differences between built-up LCZs are lower with values from 2 to 4 °C. Important part of this research was microclimate monitoring on sites within the same LCZ (intra-LCZ variability). Results showed that shadows and short- and longwave radiation play a paramount role in thermal variability. Direct and reflected radiations on one measurement site increased Ta up to 6 °C and Tg up to 12 °C when compared to other measurement site (in a similar urban design), which was in the shadow.

Optimizing prevention strategies for PM2.5-related health risks in Nakhon Ratchasima

The detrimental effects of PM2.5 on the health of urban populations, especially in developing countries, are being carefully addressed by governments worldwide. To mitigate the adverse health effects of air pollution, this paper presents a case study and suggests a three-phase plan for implementing a prediction and control approach in the Thai metro region of Nakhon Ratchasima (NRM). A data-driven assessment of the region's air pollution situation is conducted in the initial phase, which is then followed by an analysis of the health risks related to PM2.5 concentrations. It is therefore imperative to determine which machine learning model has the best capabilities to estimate PM2.5 concentration. With the help of this advanced predictive capability, decision-makers will have an important window of opportunity to put preventive measures in place to safeguard the population from the adverse effects of air pollution. The study showed that there were respiratory diseases in the NRM area because of high concentrations of PM2.5 particles, primarily from vehicle exhaust, which far exceeded Thailand's threshold of 15 μg m−3. A total of 10,379 people, or 16.91% of the affected population, lived in zones with PM2.5 concentrations >38 μg m−3 in 2019. Another 741 people, or 1.21% of the population, lived in zones with PM2.5 values between 36 and 37 μg m−3. The study finds that Extra-Trees regression combined with AdaBoost has the best-predicting capacity for PM2.5 ambient concentration in the NRM area out of the 13 machine-learning regression models examined. This case study presents an additional tool for policymakers to employ in controlling adverse health effects in urban areas.

Urban Health Scholarship and Practice in the Post-Pandemic Era.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted several challenges that cities face that can affect the health of urban populations. These challenges are an opportunity for sharpening of our urban health scholarship, to rethink the questions the field should be asking, and how the answers to those questions should guide practice. The central role of inequities in cities, the politics of urban health, communication for health, the deployment of health care, and the future of urban living are all areas that merit attention by scholars and practitioners in the field in coming decades.

Assessing the Effect of High-Density Housing on Mental Health of Urban Population. Case Study: Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur

The increasing trends of urbanisation and the increasing prevalence of people having depression, anxiety, and stress worldwide are alarming. Urbanisation has exerted pressure on housing provision for urban dwellers, and more high-density housing is built to accommodate the migration of people to urban areas. This study aims to assess the effect of living in urban high-density residential on mental disorders of urban population. To understand the relationship between urban high-density living and mental disorders, a questionnaire survey was distributed to the dwellers of urban high-density residents in Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur based on the characteristics of density, open spaces, and facilities provision. Responses are analysed using Spearman’s Correlation for the questionnaire. The questionnaire surveys show relatively high symptomatology of depression, anxiety and stress and a strong correlation value with high-density living. These results suggest that most people living in an urban high-density living may risk developing mental disorders. On this basis, mental health’s requisites should be considered when designing high-density housing and can support government policies such as in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in Ministry of Health policies, in PLANMalaysia development policies, State Structure Plans, District Local Plans, and others related organisation and research.

Evaluation of plant species for air pollution tolerance and phytoremediation potential in proximity to a coal thermal power station: implications for smart green cities.

In metropolitan areas, air pollution poses a significant threat, and it is crucial to carefully select plant species that can tolerate such conditions. This requires a scientific approach based on systematic evaluation before recommending them to executive bodies. This study aimed to determine the air pollution tolerance index (APTI), dust retention capacity, and phytoremediation ability of 10 plant species growing in and around a lignite-based coal thermal power station. The results showed that Ficus benghalensis L. had the highest APTI, followed by Mimusops elengi L., Ficus religiosa L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., and Annona reticulata L. F. benghalensis also showed the highest pH of leaf extract, relative water content, total chlorophyll, and ascorbic acid content, as well as the highest dust capturing capacity. Among the ten plant species, F. benghalensis, M. elengi, F. religiosa, A. indica and F. racemosa were identified as a tolerant group that can be used for particulate matter suppression and heavy metal stabilization in and around thermal power plants. These findings can inform the selection of plants for effective green infrastructure in smart green cities, promoting the health and well-being of urban populations. This research is relevant to urban planners, policymakers, and environmentalists interested in sustainable urban development and air pollution mitigation.

Urban stress and its association with symptoms of depression, fatigue, and sleep disruption in women in Mexico City

ABSTRACT Women in urban neighborhoods often face disproportionately higher levels of environmental and social stressors; however, the health effects from urban stressors remain poorly understood. We evaluated the association between urban stress and depression, fatigue, and sleep disruption in a cohort of 460 women in Mexico City. To assess urban stress, women were administered the Urban Annoyances scale. Six constructs were summarized to create an overall index. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Depression Scale; the Patient-Reported Outcomes Information System scales were used to assess sleep disruption and fatigue. Linear regression models were used to estimate the association with continuous symptoms comparing women with high stress to those with lower levels. Models were adjusted for socioeconomic status, education, age, social support, and previous depressive symptoms. High urban stress was associated with greater depressive symptoms (β: 1.77; 95% CI: 0.83, 2.71), fatigue (β: 2.47; 95% CI: 0.87, 4.07), and sleep disruption (β: 2.14; 95% CI: 0.54, 3.73). Urban stress plays an important role in women’s psychological and physical health, highlighting the importance of including these measures in environmental health studies. Urban interventions, such as promoting alternative transport options, should additionally be addressed to improve health of urban populations.

The significance of green spaces for protecting health of urban population

Green spaces (green infrastructure, green areas) are important components of urban environment. They are able to mitigate health outcomes of climatic risks, exposure to urbanization and adverse environmental factors. Bigger areas covered with plants should increase their accessibility for people living in cities. Analysis of the results reported in foreign studies that addressed influence of green spaces on public health proves that they promote physical activity by urban citizens, sports included, development of interpersonal communication and social interactions, improve mental health, and reduce prevalence of diabetes mellitus and other diseases. In some cases massive construction of residential housing and public buildings in Russian megacities and large cities led to reduction in green areas. The existing construction standards in Russia do not consider the recommendation of the WHO/Europe that requires accessibility of green spaces within a 15–20 minute walking distance and provision of 9 m2 of green spaces per person. Utility of green spaces for public health depends on evenness of their distribution. In case their distribution is mosaic, their benefits for public health and protection capacities are reduced. The present review shows the importance, needs and advantages of developing green infrastructure with continuous canopy that create potent green shading.

The Economic Value of Health Benefits Associated with Urban Park Investment.

The allocation of resources towards the development and enhancement of urban parks offers an effective strategy for promoting and improving the health and well-being of urban populations. Investments in urban parks can result in a multitude of health benefits. The increased usage of greenspace by park users has been linked to positive physical and mental health outcomes. Additionally, the expansion of greenspace in urban areas can mitigate harmful impacts from air pollutants, heat, noise, and climate-related health risks. While the health benefits attributed to urban parks and greenspaces are well documented, few studies have measured the economic value of these benefits. This study applied a novel ecohealth economic valuation framework to quantify and estimate the potential economic value of health benefits attributed to the development of a proposed park in the downtown core of Peterborough, Canada. The results indicated that development of the small urban park will result in annual benefits of CAD 133,000 per year, including CAD 109,877 in the avoided economic burden of physical inactivity, CAD 23,084 in health savings associated with improved mental health, and CAD 127 in health savings attributed to better air quality. When including the economic value of higher life satisfaction, the economic benefit is more than CAD 4 million per year. The study demonstrates the value of developing and enhancing urban parks as a strategy to improve population health and well-being, and as a means of cost savings to the medical system.

Hospital admission tendencies caused by day-to-day temperature changes during summer: a case study for the city of Novi Sad (Serbia).

Increased temperature risk in cities threatens the health and well-being of urban population and is fueled by climate change and intensive urbanization. Consequently, further steps must be taken for assessing temperature conditions in cities and their association with public health, in order to improve public health prevention at local or regional level. This study contributes to solving the problems by analyzing the connection between extreme temperatures and the tendencies of all-cause hospital admissions. The analyses used (a) 1-h air temperature data, and (b) daily data of all-cause hospital admissions. The datasets include the summer period (June, July, August) for the years 2016 and 2017. We tested the effects of two temperature indices, day-to-day change in maximum temperature - Tmax,c and daily temperature range - Tr, with all-cause hospital admission subgroups, such as all-cause cases - Ha, hospital admissions in the population below 65 - Ha<65, and hospital admissions in the population aged 65 and over - Ha≥65. The results show the highest values of Ha when Tmax,c is between 6 and 10 °C. Therefore, more intensive hospital admissions can be expected when Tmax increases from day-to-day (positive values of Tmax,c), and it is more visible for Ha and Ha<65 (1 °C = 1% increase in hospital admissions). Also, Tr values between 10 °C and 14 °C cause an increase in the number of hospital admissions, and it is more noticeable for Ha≥65.

Multi-objective optimization of hydrant flushing in a water distribution system using a fast hybrid technique

As a critical element in preserving the health of urban populations, water distribution systems (WDSs) must be ready to implement emergency plans when catastrophic events such as contamination events occur. A risk-based simulation-optimization framework (EPANET–NSGA-III) combined with a decision support model (GMCR) is proposed in this study to determine optimal locations for contaminant flushing hydrants under an array of potentially hazardous scenarios. Risk-based analysis using Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR)-based objectives can address uncertainties regarding the mode of WDS contamination, thereby providing a robust plan to minimize the associated risks at a 95% confidence level. Conflict modeling by GMCR achieved an optimal compromise solution within the Pareto front by identifying a final stable consensus among the decision-makers involved. A novel hybrid contamination event grouping-parallel water quality simulation technique was incorporated into the integrated model to reduce model runtime, the main deterrent in optimization-based methods. The nearly 80% reduction in model runtime made the proposed model a viable solution for online simulation-optimization problems. The framework's capacity to address real-world problems was evaluated for the WDS operating in Lamerd, a city in Fars Province, Iran. Results showed that the proposed framework was capable of highlighting a single flushing strategy, which not only optimally reduced risks associated with contamination events, but provided acceptable coverage against such threats, flushing 35–61.3% of input contamination mass on average, and reducing average time-to-return to normal conditions by 14.4–60.2%, while employing less than half of the initial potential hydrants.

Does Civic Engagement Support Relational and Mental Health of Urban Population?

There is a general assumption that there is a relationship between civic engagement and mental health, but it has still received limited attention in empirical studies. This study provides estimates of the impact of civic engagement (measured in terms of political and community engagement) on the health of individuals in the case of a medium-sized urban settlement within the context of a post-socialist country. The impacts of civic engagement on mental and relational health are distinguished, which have received little attention in studies on the topic. Using primary data and utilising the tools of econometrics, we found positive effects of the population’s community engagement, including positive effects of volunteering, on relational health. Political participation of the population contributed to the reduction of depressive symptoms, but the relationship between community engagement and mental health was not found. A relatively high propensity towards participation in health and well-being projects, leading to improvements in the collective approach to public health and addressing unhealthy conditions in communities, was identified in the sample.

The interactions between urban heat island and heat waves amplify urban warming in Guangzhou, China: Roles of urban ventilation and local climate zones

Under the background of global warming, interaction between heat waves (HWs) and urban heat island (UHI) has led to trends of increase in the intensity, frequency, and duration of extreme heat events in urban areas, seriously threatening the health of urban populations. Taking Guangzhou (a tropical megacity in China) as an example, this study used automatic weather station data and ERA5 reanalysis data to explore the interaction between HWs and UHI, and to elucidate the effects of wind speed and local climate zones (LCZs) on such interaction. Results revealed obvious HWs–UHI interaction in Guangzhou, whereby HWs induces an amplification effect on UHI intensity (UHII) that was most significant at night. In the main urban area, UHII and HWs both weakened with increasing wind speed, indicating that low wind speeds contribute to increased occurrence of HWs and enhancement of UHII. Differently, in some areas peripheral to the main urban area, the UHII at medium wind speeds was stronger than that at low wind speeds, which reflect the impact of heat advection from the urban center. For different LCZs in the main urban area, the strongest UHII, highest risk of HW occurrence, and most significant HWs–UHI interaction were found in the compact mid-rise buildings and compact low-rise buildings (LCZ2 and LCZ3, respectively), followed by the compact high-rise buildings (LCZ1), which was mainly affected by the shading effect of high-rise buildings. The weakest UHII and lowest risk of HW occurrence were found in open high-rise buildings and open mid-rise buildings (LCZ4 and LCZ5, respectively), which generally have good ventilation conditions. Our findings will help to understand urban warming and its association with UHI and HW events in tropical urban regions, which has implications for rational improvement of the urban thermal environment in other tropical urban regions globally.

Longitudinal Ambient PM2.5 Measurement at Fifteen Locations in Eight Sub-Saharan African Countries Using Low-Cost Sensors

Air pollution is a major global public health issue causing considerable morbidity and mortality. Measuring levels of air pollutants and facilitating access to the data has been identified as a pathway to raise awareness and initiate dialogue between relevant stakeholders. Low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) urgently need simple, low-cost approaches to generate such data, especially in settings with no or unreliable data. We established a network of easy-to-use low-cost air quality sensors (PurpleAir-II-SD) to monitor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations at 15 sites, in 11 cities across eight sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) countries between February 2020 and January 2021. Annual PM2.5 concentrations, seasonal and temporal variability were determined. Time trends were modelled using harmonic regression. Annual PM2.5 concentrations ranged between 10 and 116 µg/m3 across study sites, exceeding the current WHO annual mean guideline level of 5 µg/m3. The largest degree of seasonal variation was seen in Nigeria, where seven sites showed higher PM2.5 levels during the dry than during the wet season. Other countries with less pronounced dry/wet season variations were Benin (20 µg/m3 versus 5 µg/m3), Uganda (50 µg/m3 versus 45 µg/m3), Sukuta (Gambia) (20 µg/m3 versus 15 µg/m3) and Kenya (30 µg/m3 versus 25 µg/m3). Diurnal variation was observed across all sites, with two daily PM2.5 peaks at about 06:00 and 18:00 local time. We identified high levels of air pollution in the 11 African cities included in this study. This calls for effective control measures to protect the health of African urban populations. The PM2.5 peaks around ‘rush hour’ suggest traffic-related emissions should be a particular area for attention.