Residential Environmental Factors Research Articles

Promoting active mobility in old age through urban design

In an ageing society, maintaining independent mobility into old age is an important objective. Mental and physical wellbeing depends not only on individual health status, but also to alarge extent on the spatial conditions. Local politics and municipal administrations can influence this, especially in urban planning. This discussion article brings together perspectives from public health and urban planning on urban development and mobility against the background of health equity.The results of the AFOOT (Securing urban mobility of an ageing population) cross-sectional study on socio-spatial conditions in small- and medium-sized towns in northwestern Germany and walking and cycling by older people show the importance of residential environmental factors such as proximity to everyday destinations, walking and cycling infrastructure, and street connectivity. Preferences for the design of an age-friendly living environment and the quality of public spaces exist in terms of urban design quality, quality of stay, and safety in public spaces.In order to improve spatial conditions, the situation needs to be recorded using defined indicators and monitoring, and the perspectives of older people need to be integrated. Strategies and measures to promote active mobility in old age are aimed at the multifunctional design of public spaces, the prioritization of active mobility on everyday trips, and ensuring the accessibility of everyday destinations through urban development. Cross-sectoral cooperation between urban planning, transport planning, and public health is essential to promote the active mobility and health of older people.

Promoting active mobility in old age through urban design

In an ageing society, maintaining independent mobility into old age is an important objective. Mental and physical wellbeing depends not only on individual health status, but also to alarge extent on the spatial conditions. Local politics and municipal administrations can influence this, especially in urban planning. This discussion article brings together perspectives from public health and urban planning on urban development and mobility against the background of health equity.The results of the AFOOT (Securing urban mobility of an ageing population) cross-sectional study on socio-spatial conditions in small- and medium-sized towns in northwestern Germany and walking and cycling by older people show the importance of residential environmental factors such as proximity to everyday destinations, walking and cycling infrastructure, and street connectivity. Preferences for the design of an age-friendly living environment and the quality of public spaces exist in terms of urban design quality, quality of stay, and safety in public spaces.In order to improve spatial conditions, the situation needs to be recorded using defined indicators and monitoring, and the perspectives of older people need to be integrated. Strategies and measures to promote active mobility in old age are aimed at the multifunctional design of public spaces, the prioritization of active mobility on everyday trips, and ensuring the accessibility of everyday destinations through urban development. Cross-sectoral cooperation between urban planning, transport planning, and public health is essential to promote the active mobility and health of older people.

The impact of residential environment on stroke onset and its spatial heterogeneity: A multiscale exploration in Shanghai

BackgroundStroke is a worldwide concern due to its high disability and mortality rates, especially in many countries entering ageing societies. This study aims to understand the spatial heterogeneity of stroke onset and residential environment influence scopes from multiscale. MethodsThe 2013 to 2022 spatiotemporal distribution pattern of stroke onset was obtained via out-patient data from a hospital in Shanghai. Then nine residential environmental factors were selected to estimate the association of stroke onset by multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR), in three scenarios. ResultsAccessibility to pubs/bars (PUB) and building density (BD) were the top two residential environmental factors both for the entire sample and by gender. Stress-related environmental factors have a greater impact on the onset of stroke in men but are limited in scope. The population of elderly people have relevance to environmental variables heterogeneity. The indicators relating to unhealthy food and alcohol suggest that habit-inducing environmental factors have a limited impact on stroke onset, but rather that pre-existing habits play a greater role. ConclusionsMGWR analyses individual components across multiple bandwidths, revealing geographical disparities in the impact of elements that would otherwise be undetected on a global scale. Environmental factors have a limited impact on the onset of stroke. When society is faced with both heavy ageing and fiscal constraints, some of the blue-green space budgets can be scaled back to invest in more secure facilities.

A Study on the Effects of Residential Environmental Factors on the Stress of Residents - Focusing on the Mediating Effects of Place Attachment and Collective Efficacy -

A Study on the Effects of Residential Environmental Factors on the Stress of Residents - Focusing on the Mediating Effects of Place Attachment and Collective Efficacy -

Bayesian Mediation Analysis with an Application to Explore Racial Disparities in the Diagnostic Age of Breast Cancer

A mediation effect refers to the effect transmitted by a mediator intervening in the relationship between an exposure variable and a response variable. Mediation analysis is widely used to identify significant mediators and to make inferences on their effects. The Bayesian method allows researchers to incorporate prior information from previous knowledge into the analysis, deal with the hierarchical structure of variables, and estimate the quantities of interest from the posterior distributions. This paper proposes three Bayesian mediation analysis methods to make inferences on mediation effects. Our proposed methods are the following: (1) the function of coefficients method; (2) the product of partial difference method; and (3) the re-sampling method. We apply these three methods to explore racial disparities in the diagnostic age of breast cancer patients in Louisiana. We found that African American (AA) patients are diagnosed at an average of 4.37 years younger compared with Caucasian (CA) patients (57.40 versus 61.77, p< 0.0001). We also found that the racial disparity can be explained by patients’ insurance (12.90%), marital status (17.17%), cancer stage (3.27%), and residential environmental factors, including the percent of the population under age 18 (3.07%) and the environmental factor of intersection density (9.02%).

The Effects of Subjective Residential Environment Based on Civil Complaints Data and Objective Residential Environment Factors on Housing Price: Using LDA Topic Modeling

The Effects of Subjective Residential Environment Based on Civil Complaints Data and Objective Residential Environment Factors on Housing Price: Using LDA Topic Modeling

Dynamics in residential relocation, car ownership, and carsharing adoption in neighborhoods with a high prevalence of carsharing

Many studies have looked into the private car ownership and residential environment factors that affect current carsharing adoption from a cross-sectional perspective, while very few have focused on dynamic variables related to home relocation and changes in vehicle access. Using survey data collected in eight typical neighborhoods with a high level of carsharing in Utrecht, the Netherlands, this study explored how dynamics in car ownership, residential relocation, and current carsharing membership are related, and how this relationship shapes intention for future carsharing membership. The explanatory variables were the changes in residential location, and past and expected changes in private car ownership. Results of our binary logistic regression and ordinary least squares regression modeling show that residential relocation has a limited effect on carsharing adoption: Newcomers from lower urbanization level neighborhoods need some time to get used to carsharing and adopt it. For car ownership dynamics, future intentions to change private car ownership are more likely to affect current and future carsharing adoption than previous changes: Previous and future changes in car ownership and carsharing adoption have different effects on actual and expected behaviors. Our study shows that different functional goals of carsharing services for different types of potential users should be distinguished.

The aetiology and burden of myeloproliferative neoplasms in the United Kingdom: the MyelOproliferative neoplasmS: an In-depth case-control (MOSAICC) study protocol

BackgroundMyeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of haematological malignancies that affect approximately 8 people in every 100,000 individuals in the UK. Little is known about the aetiology of MPNs, as previous studies have been hampered by small sample sizes, thus it is important to understand the cause of MPNs in a larger study to identify prevention strategies and improve treatment strategies. This study aims to determine environmental, lifestyle, genetic and medical causes of MPNs and to assess the relevance of occupational carcinogen exposures and quality of life impacts.MethodsA UK-wide case-control study of 610 recently diagnosed MPN patients (within 24 months) receiving clinical care at 21 NHS study sites in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 610 non-blood relative/friend controls is underway. Data on occupational and residential history, medical and environmental factors, and quality of life are being collected from the participants via a structured interview and self-complete questionnaires. Clinical data is being provided by the clinical team. Blood, saliva and toenail samples are also being collected for genetic and elemental analysis. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) will be calculated using a p < 0.05 to investigate potential risk factors for the MPN clinical and genetic subtypes, and further analyses will be conducted based on the type of data and outcome of interest at a later stage.DiscussionThe study design is most effective for investigating the aetiology of rare diseases. The study will enable identification of potential causes of MPNs through in-depth assessment of potential risk factors with potential for longer follow-up of a number of outcomes.

노인의 주거환경이 지역사회 계속거주에 미치는 영향

This study aims to investigate the influence of the residential environment on Aging in Place for the elderly. It also acknowledges that the effects of residential environment factors on Aging in Place might vary due to regional differences between urban and rural areas. Consequently, the study seeks to establish an empirical approach considering regional characteristics, assessing whether the residential environment in each area supports elderly individuals in maintaining their community living. The analysis utilized data from the 2020 Elderly Survey, encompassing 8,878 participants, including 6,541 elderly residents from urban settings and 2,337 from rural areas. Results indicated that rural seniors exhibited a stronger preference for Aging in Place, with 65.3% compared to 61.7% among urban counterparts, highlighting their inclination towards remaining within their local community. Urban areas indicated higher satisfaction with the physical environment, while rural areas showed greater contentment with the social environment, particularly community relationships. Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that urban elderly individuals were more likely to opt for Aging in Place when they reported higher housing satisfaction, better accessibility to the external environment, and limited opportunities for social interaction with neighbors. In rural areas, a higher likelihood of choosing community-based living was observed when housing satisfaction, active participation in social activities, and community relationship satisfaction were greater. In light of these findings, it is advisable to develop policies aligned with the unique characteristics of urban and rural contexts, aiming to facilitate Aging in Place among the elderly population.

Environment factors, DNA methylation, and cancer.

Today, the rapid development of science and technology and the rapid change in economy and society are changing the way of life of human beings and affecting the natural, living, working, and internal environment on which human beings depend. At the same time, the global incidence of cancer has increased significantly yearly, and cancer has become the number one killer that threatens human health. Studies have shown that diet, living habits, residential environment, mental and psychological factors, intestinal flora, genetics, social factors, and viral and non-viral infections are closely related to human cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of the environment and cancer development remain to be further explored. In recent years, DNA methylation has become a key hub and bridge for environmental and cancer research. Some environmental factors can alter the hyper/hypomethylation of human cancer suppressor gene promoters, proto-oncogene promoters, and the whole genome, causing low/high expression or gene mutation of related genes, thereby exerting oncogenic or anticancer effects. It is expected to develop early warning markers of cancer environment based on DNA methylation, thereby providing new methods for early detection of cancers, diagnosis, and targeted therapy. This review systematically expounds on the internal mechanism of environmental factors affecting cancer by changing DNA methylation, aiming to help establish the concept of cancer prevention and improve people's health.

Analysis of Driving Factors and Action Path of Green Investment Behavior of Individual Investors

Green finance plays a key role in the process of achieving the dual carbon goals in China. China's capital market is dominated by individual investors, so studying their green investment behavior has a relatively complete theoretical value for effectively playing the incentive mechanism of green finance, and also has important practical significance. First, based on literature research and a questionnaire survey, this paper obtains and screens the driving factors of individual investors' green investment behavior. Secondly, using Logistic regression and other methods, we identified the impact of the herding effect, local preference, environmental awareness, media information, residential environmental pollution level, policy factors, corporate image, and green investment willingness on investment behavior. Thirdly, the structural equation model is used to test the action path of the driving factors, and six significant influence paths exist among the eight factors. Finally, according to the research conclusions, we propose corresponding policy recommendations at the individual, company, and national levels to improve the green investment behavior of individual investors.

An Analysis of Residential Environmental Features Affecting Residential Satisfaction of the Single-Parent Households in Public Rental Housing

The purpose of the study was to examine residential environment factors contributing to enhance residential satisfaction and quality of life of single-parent households living in Public rental housing in Seoul. For the research methods, the study examined the difference in the residential environment satisfaction according to the household type and housing type through an independent sample t-test, and analyzed the residential environments factors, which significantly affect the residential satisfaction of single-parent households, through Pearson’s correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. The results were as follows: 1) Rather than the type of household, the type of housing affects the perceived satisfaction with residential environment; therefore, It is necessary to establish residential environments plan to improve single-parent households’ quality of life. 2) The enhancement of residential satisfaction of single-parent households is significantly related to the perceived satisfaction with outdoor environment, locational environment, and social environment among the factors of residential environment. Moreover, the more active social interaction with neighbor and the higher the quality of external housing environment is provided, the significantly higher the perceived residential satisfaction of single-parent households becomes. The study result implies that the social support to encounter neighbors and psychologically comfort need to be considered in residential environments to improve the quality of life of single-parent households.

Influence of residential indoor environment on quality of life in China

The residential indoor environment has been acknowledged as one of the main settings affecting quality of life. However, complex relationships exist between residential indoor environment and quality of life. Most studies frequently tend to address a narrow range of residential environmental factors and associated quality of life. Therefore, this study is to identify the relationships between overall residential indoor environment and quality of life, and how relationships can be influenced by potential confounding factors, based on the Pan-China residential environment and health survey data. Results showed that the prominent residential environmental issues reported by participants were thermal problems. There was a statistically significant association between the increase in physical/mental health conditions and the reduction in reported frequency of residential environmental problems, including thermal, indoor air quality, lighting, acoustic, hygiene, safe and security environment, even after adjustment for age, sex, education, smoking status, drinking status, and number of residents per household. Furthermore, the significant combined effects on physical/mental health were found for paired residential environmental problems, including temperature and humidity, thermal environment and air quality/noise/mold, air quality and noise, and fall risks and wet problems, after adjustment for confounders. This paper attempted to disentangle complex relationships between residential indoor environment and quality of life, which will provide a basis to develop strategies for improving quality of life.

공동주택의 주거환경 요인과 지각 가치가 주거 만족도에 미치는 영향분석

Since the 1970s, rapid economic growth and urban concentration of the population have caused serious housing shortages in urban areas, and the government has implemented a policy to build and distribute high-rise apartment houses in large quantities. However, as the living standard of the people improves along with economic development, residents' interest in improving the quality of the residential environment is increasing, and it is necessary to find a strategy to improve the quality of apartment houses and to improve the quality of life. Therefore, this study investigated the residential environment factors of apartments that affect residents' housing satisfaction and the perceived value of residents, and identified the mediating role of perceived value in the relationship between the residential environment factors of apartments as follows. First, among the residential environment factors, safety, health, and economy were found to have a positive effect on the residential satisfaction of apartment houses, and among the residential environment factors, safety, convenience, health, economy, aesthetics, and sociality had a significant positive effect on the perceived value of apartment houses. In addition, the perceived value of apartment houses was found to have a significant positive effect on housing satisfaction, and the perceived value of apartment houses played a significant mediating role in the gap between the residential environment factors of apartment houses and housing satisfaction.

The effect modification of extreme temperatures on mental and behavior disorders by environmental factors and individual-level characteristics in Canada

ObjectiveAmbient extreme temperatures have been associated with mental and behavior disorders (MBDs). However, few studies have assesed whether vulnerability factors such as ambient air pollution, pre-existing mental health conditions and residential environmental factors increase susceptibility. This study aims to evaluate the associations between short-term variations in outdoor ambient extreme temperatures and MBD-related emergency department (ED) visits and how these associations are modified by vulnerability factors. MethodsWe conducted a case-crossover study of 9,958,759 MBD ED visits in Alberta and Ontario, Canada made between March 1st, 2004 and December 31st, 2020. Daily average temperature was assigned to individual cases with ED visits for MBD using gridded data at a 1 km × 1 km spatial resolution. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate associations between extreme temperatures (i.e., risk of ED visit at the 2.5th percentile temperature for cold and 97.5th percentile temperature for heat for each health region compared to the minimal temperature risk) and MBD ED visits. Age, sex, pre-existing mental health conditions, ambient air pollution (i.e. PM2.5, NO2 and O3) and residential environmental factors (neighborhood deprivation, residential green space exposure and urbanization) were evaluated as potential effect modifiers. ResultsCumulative exposure to extreme heat over 0–5 days (odds ratio [OR] = 1.145; 95% CI: 1.121–1.171) was associated with ED visits for any MBD. However, cumulative exposure to extreme cold was associated with lower risk of ED visits for any MBD (OR = 0.981; 95% CI: 0.976–0.987). We also found heat to be associated with ED visits for specific MBDs such as substance use disorders, dementia, neurotic disorders, schizophrenia and personality behavior disorder. Individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions, those exposed to higher daily concentrations of NO2 and O3 and those residing in neighborhoods with greater material and social deprivation were at higher risk of heat-related MBD ED visits. Increasing tree canopy coverage appeared to mitigate risks of the effect of heat on MBD ED visits. ConclusionsFindings provide evidence that the impacts of heat on MBD ED visits may vary across different vulnerability factors.

Impacts of residential indoor air quality and environmental risk factors on adult asthma-related health outcomes in Chicago, IL.

Residential environments are known to contribute to asthma. To examine the joint impacts of exposures to residential indoor and outdoor air pollutants and housing risk factors on adult asthma-related health outcomes. We analyzed >1-year of data from 53 participants from 41 homes in the pre-intervention period of the Breathe Easy Project prior to ventilation and filtration retrofits. Health outcomes included surveys of asthma control, health-related quality of life, stress, and healthcare utilizations. Environmental assessments included quarterly measurements of indoor and outdoor pollutants (e.g., HCHO, CO, CO2, NO2, O3, and PM), home walk-throughs, and surveys of environmental risk factors. Indoor pollutant concentrations were also matched with surveys of time spent at home to estimate indoor pollutant exposures. Cross-sectional analyses using mixed-effects models indicated that lower annual average asthma control test (ACT) scores were associated (p < 0.05) with higher indoor NO2 (concentration/exposure: β = -2.42/-1.57), indoor temperature (β = -1.03 to -0.94), and mold/dampness (β = -3.09 to -2.41). In longitudinal analysis, lower ACT scores were also associated (p < 0.05) with higher indoor NO2 concentrations (β = -0.29), PM1 (concentration/exposure: β = -0.12/-0.24), PM2.5 (concentration/exposure: β = -0.12/-0.26), and PM10 (concentration/exposure: β = 10.14/-0.28). Emergency department visits were associated with poorer asthma control [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.84; p < 0.001], physical health (IRR = 0.95; p < 0.05), mental health (IRR = 0.95; p < 0.05), higher I/O NO2 ratios (IRR = 1.30; p < 0.05), and higher indoor temperatures (IRR = 1.41; p < 0.05). Findings suggest that residential risk factors, including indoor air pollution (especially NO2 and particulate matter), higher indoor temperature, and mold/dampness, may contribute to poorer asthma control. This study highlights the importance of residential indoor air quality and environmental risk factors for asthma control, health-related quality of life, and emergency department visits for asthma. Two timescales of mixed models suggest that exposure to indoor NO2 and particulate matter, higher indoor temperature, and mold/dampness was associated with poorer asthma control. Additionally, emergency department visits were associated with poorer asthma control and health-related quality of life, as well as higher I/O NO2 ratios and indoor temperatures. These findings deepen our understanding of the interrelationships between housing, air quality, and health, and have important implications for programs and policy.

Vacant House Characteristics by Use Area and Their Application to Sustainable Community

The problem of vacant houses is important to identify its causes and then solve it. This study aims to determine the factors affecting the occurrence of vacant houses and examines their influence. The results highlight that the residential environment, population, social, physical environment, and geographic factors are statistically significant for the residential areas’ vacant house occurrence, but physical environmental was not significant for the commercial area vacant house occurrence; however, the individual building factor was significant. In residential areas, if the housing itself becomes obsolete or the area is outdated, people often depart from the area, leaving behind empty houses. In the commercial area, it is possible to decrease the number of vacant houses by converting old houses into shops in line with revitalizing a commercial district; a decrease in the number of businesses can be interpreted as a decline in commercial districts and an increase in vacant houses.

Leaving, Staying in and Returning to the Hometown

Couples' residential decisions are based on a large variety of factors including housing preferences, family and other social ties, socialisation and residential biography (e.g. earlier experience in the life course) and environmental factors (e.g. housing market, labour market). This study examines, firstly, to what extent people stay in, return to or leave their hometown (referred to as ‘migration type’). We refer to the hometown as the place where most of childhood and adolescence is spent. Secondly, we study which conditions shape a person’s migration type. We mainly focus on variables capturing elements of the residential biography and both partners’ family ties and family socialisation. We focus on the residential choices made at the time of family formation, i.e. when the first child is born. We employ multinomial regression modelling and cross-tabulations, based on two generations in a sample of families who mostly live in the wider Ruhr area, born around 1931 (parents) and 1957 (adult children). We find that migration type is significantly affected by a combination of both partners' place of origin, both partners' parents' places of residence, the number of previous moves, level of education and hometown population size. We conclude that complex patterns of experience made over the life course, socialisation and gendered patterns are at work. These mechanisms should be kept in mind when policymakers develop strategies to attract (return) migrants.

Association between maternal exposure to indoor air pollution and offspring congenital heart disease: a case\u2013control study in East China

BackgroundPrevious research suggested an association between maternal exposure to ambient air pollutants and the risk of congenital heart disease (CHD). However, the effect of individual prenatal exposure to indoor air pollutants on CHD occurrence was not reported.MethodsWe performed a hospital-based case–control study to investigate the association between personal air pollution exposure during pregnancy and the risk of CHD in offspring. A total of 44 cases and 75 controls were included from two hospitals in East China. We investigated maternal and residential environmental characteristics using a questionnaire and obtained personal indoor air samples to assess particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from 22–30 gestational weeks. Formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), PM2.5, and PM10 were assessed. Logistic regression was performed to assess associations and interactions between individual indoor air pollutants and CHD after adjusting for confounders. The potential residential environmental factors affecting the risks of indoor air pollutants on CHD were also assessed.ResultsMedian TVOC (0.400 vs. 0.005 mg/m3, P < 0.001) exposure levels in cases were significantly higher than controls. A logistic regression model adjusted for confounders revealed that exposure to high levels of indoor TVOCs (AOR 7.09, 95% CI 2.10–23.88) during pregnancy was associated with risks for CHD and the occurrence of some major CHD subtype in offspring. These risk effects were enhanced in pregnant women living in a newly renovated house but were mitigated by household use of smoke ventilators when cooking. We observed a positive interaction of maternal exposure to TVOCs and PM2.5 and the risk for CHD.ConclusionsMaternal exposure to indoor VOCs and PMs may increase the risk of giving birth to foetuses with CHD.

The Influence of Residential Environmental Factors and Design Factors on Residential Satisfaction in the Share House of Young Generation

This study aimed to analyze the qualitative and subjective factors through tenant survey to present a share house as a new alternative to the future direction of space service. Based on precedent studies, hypotheses regarding residential environmental factors (physical, environmental-psychological, social, and economic factors), design factors, and residential satisfaction were set up. 300 questionnaires were distributed to the tenants, of which 200 responses were collected. Valid 167 responses were tested for reliability and validity, and structural equation modelling was conducted using the SPSS Win Ver. 20.0 and AMOS 20.0. According to demographic results of the survey responders, the majority of the collected sample were female and age distribution was mainly focused on 20s and 30s. Approximately half of respondents earned less than 1.5 million won monthly. Among the residential environmental factors of the share house, physical, environmental-psychological, and social factors are shown to have positive impact upon design factors of share house. Economic residential factors are shown to have non-significant impact upon design factors. Design factors of share house are proven to have positive impact on residential satisfaction. Through these study results, the importance of physical, environmental-psychological, and social factors become highlighted when designing share house, rather than that of economic residential factors. Further research will be needed for relationship between residential environmental factors, design factors, and residential satisfaction according to the detailed spatial service form of the share house.