Residential Greenness Exposure Research Articles

Association of residential greenness with geriatric depression among the elderly covered by long-term care insurance in Shanghai.

Residential greenness exposure has been linked to a number of physical and mental disorders. Nevertheless, evidence on the association between greenness and geriatric depression was limited and focused on developed countries. This study was aimed to investigate whether the relationship between residential greenness exposure and geriatric depression exists among the elderly with long-term care insurance (LTCI) in Shanghai, China. In 2018, a total of 1066 LTCI elderly from a cross-sectional survey completed a questionnaire in Shanghai. Residential greenness indicators, including normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), were calculated from the Landsat 8 imagery data in different buffers (100-m, 300-m, and 500-m). Mediation analysis by perceived social support was conducted to explore potential mechanisms underlying the associations. In the fully adjusted model, one IQR increase of NDVI and SAVI in the 300-m buffer size was associated with an 11.9% (PR: 0.881, 95% CI: 0.795, 0.977) and 14.7% (PR: 0.853, 95% CI: 0.766, 0.949) lower prevalence of geriatric depression, respectively. Stronger association was observed in the elderly with lower education level, living in non-central area, and lower family monthly income. Perceived social support significantly mediated 40.4% of the total effect for NDVI 300-m buffer and 40.3% for SAVI 300-m buffer to the greenness-depression association, respectively. Our results indicate the importance of residential greenness exposure to geriatric depression, especially for the elderly with lower education level, living in non-central area, and lower family monthly income. Perceived social support might mediate the association. Well-designed longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm our findings and investigate the underlying mechanisms.

1058Association between loneliness and residential green space: a longitudinal study of Australian adults

Abstract Background Loneliness, a condition associated with premature death, is estimated to affect 1 in 4 Australian adults. Evidence to inform public policy responses is needed. The UK’s loneliness strategy suggested more green space is part of the solution, based on cross-sectional evidence. Methods Association between incident loneliness over five years with respect to residential green space exposure within 1600m, 800m and 400m was assessed using multilevel models adjusting for potential socioeconomic and demographic confounders. The sample was restricted to adults living in major cities in Australia who did not report feeling lonely at baseline. Results Incidence of loneliness was 12% (820/6017) in a sample with a mean age of 44 (range 15-93), 53% female. Adjusting for age and gender, lower odds of incident loneliness were reported in areas with 10% higher green space provision within 1600m (OR = 0.90, 95%CI 0.83-0.96) and within 800m (0.93, 0.88-0.99), but not within 400m. Adjustment for income, education, couple status, ancestry and children attenuated association with green space within 800m, but association with green space within 1600m remained (0.90, 0.85-0.97). This association also remained after adjustment for neighbourhood disadvantage and personality traits and was stronger for people living on their own. Conclusions The odds of incident loneliness appear lower among adults with more green space within 1600m Key messages Strategies to increase green space provision within 1600m in cities may support prevention of loneliness in adults and especially those living on their own.

Residential greenness and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in a rural Chinese adult population

Residential greenness may be beneficial for cardiovascular health, but the evidence is still scarce, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the associations between exposure to residential greenness and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk in a large rural Chinese adult population. This was a cross-sectional study based on 31,162 participants aged 35–74 years with complete data on predictors of the 10-year ASCVD risk from the Henan Rural Cohort Study. The satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) were used to quantify residential greenness in a buffer radius of 500 m, 1000 m, and 3000 m. The high 10-years ASCVD risk was defined as the estimated risk ≥10% based on prediction equations from the China-PAR Project for Chinese populations. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were performed to estimate the associations of greenness exposures with high 10-year ASCVD risk, and mediation analyses were employed to the potential mediators. For per interquartile range (IQR) increase in NDVI500−m, NDVI1000−m, NDVI3000−m, EVI500−m, EVI1000−m, and EVI3000−m, the adjusted OR (95% CI) of high 10-years ASCVD risk was 0.828 (0.793–0.866), 0.850 (0.817–0.885), 0.823 (0.792–0.855), 0.848 (0.809–0.889), 0.863 (0.826–0.901), 0.843 (0.805–0.883), respectively. Strong associations of NDVI500−m and EVI500−m with high 10-years ASCVD risk were found among participants with lower education level and lower averaged monthly income. The associations of greenness exposures with high 10-year ASCVD risk were partially explained by particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤1 µm, BMI, and physical activity. Enhancing residential greenness exposure may be beneficial for reducing the high 10-year ASCVD risk in rural Chinese adults.

Residential green space types, allergy symptoms and mental health in a cohort of tree pollen allergy patients

• We studied residential green space exposure of 157 adults with tree pollen allergy. • Residential green space was associated with reduced mental distress and perceived stress. • Allergenic tree species within 2 km distance contributed to mental distress. • Residential green space exposure was associated with more severe allergy symptoms. • Green space had mixed health effects during the pollination season.

Brain correlates of urban environmental exposures in cognitively unimpaired individuals at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease: A study on Barcelona's population.

IntroductionUrban environmental exposures might contribute to the incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our aim was to identify structural brain imaging correlates of urban environmental exposures in cognitively unimpaired individuals at increased risk of AD.MethodsTwo hundred twelve participants with brain scans and residing in Barcelona, Spain, were included. Land use regression models were used to estimate residential exposure to air pollutants. The daily average noise level was obtained from noise maps. Residential green exposure indicators were also generated. A cerebral 3D‐T1 was acquired to obtain information on brain morphology. Voxel‐based morphometry statistical analyses were conducted to determine the areas of the brain in which regional gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes were associated with environmental exposures.ResultsExposure to nitrogen dioxide was associated with lower GM volume in the precuneus and greater WM volume in the splenium of the corpus callosum and inferior longitudinal fasciculus. In contrast, exposure to fine particulate matter was associated with greater GM in cerebellum and WM in the splenium of corpus callosum, the superior longitudinal fasciculus, and cingulum cingulate gyrus. Noise was positively associated with WM volume in the body of the corpus callosum. Exposure to greenness was associated with greater GM volume in the middle frontal, precentral, and the temporal pole.DiscussionIn cognitively unimpaired adults with increased risk of AD, exposure to air pollution, noise, and green areas are associated with GM and WM volumes of specific brain areas known to be affected in AD, thus potentially conferring a higher vulnerability to the disease.

Relationship between Long-Term Residential Green Exposure and Individuals' Mental Health: Moderated by Income Differences and Residential Location in Urban China.

Environmental health effects during urbanization have attracted much attention. However, knowledge is lacking on the relationship between long-term cumulative residential environment and health effects on individuals during rapid transformations in urban physical and social space. Taking Guangzhou, China, as a case example, this study analyzed the relationship between long-term exposure to green environments and residents’ mental health under urban spatial restructuring. Based on a household survey in 2016, 820 residents who have lived in Guangzhou for more than 15 years were used as the sample. High-resolution remote sensing images were used to assess the long-term green exposure of residents. The results indicate that long-term green exposure in residential areas had a negative correlation with residents’ mental health (p < 0.05), and the correlation was strongest for the cumulative green environment in the last five years. However, this significant effect was moderated by income and residential location. Green exposure had a positive relationship with mental health for low income groups, and a negative relationship for middle and high income groups. In addition, residents living farther away from the city center were likely to have fewer green environmental health benefits. Residential relocation in a rapidly urbanizing and transforming China has led to the continuous differentiation of residential green environments among different income groups, which has also caused different mental health effects from green exposure. It provides empirical evidence and theoretical support for policymakers to improve the urban environment and reduce environmental health disparities by considering social differences and residential location.

Cross-sectional association of residential greenness exposure with activities of daily living disability among urban elderly in Shanghai.

Residential greenness exposure is associated with many health outcomes, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and mental disorders. However, few studies have assessed the effects of greenness exposure on activities of daily living (ADL). This study evaluated the relationship between greenness and ADL among elderly residents with long-term care insurance (LTCI) in Shanghai, China. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using stratified random sampling among elderly residents with LTCI in six districts of Shanghai in August 2018. We quantitatively assessed residential greenness using satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values with 250-, 500-, and 1000-m buffers around each participant's residential address. We calculated the walk score to assess neighborhood walkability. Physical function was assessed using basic ADL (BADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL). We performed binary logistic regression and restricted cubic splines with R software. The study participants were 1067 adults with a mean age of 82.40 years (standard deviation, 7.68 years). The mean NDVI value was 0.311. In the fully adjusted model, being in the highest-tertile NDVI500-m had a significant protective effect on BADL mild to none disability (odds ratio, 2.143; 95% confidence interval, 1.489-3.084) compared with participants in the lowest-tertile NDVI500-m. Restricted cubic spline showed a non-linearity association between NDVI values and BADL and IADL mild to none disability. Our results indicate the importance of residential greenness exposure to physical function-especially for BADL disability. Well-designed longitudinal studies are needed to confirm our findings and investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Early life exposure to green space and insulin resistance: An assessment from infancy to early adolescence

BackgroundRecent studies suggest that greater exposure to natural vegetation, or “green space” is associated with lower diabetes risk, possibly through increasing physical activity. However, there is limited research on green space and insulin resistance in youth. We hypothesized greater green space at early-life sensitive time periods would be associated with lower insulin resistance in youth. MethodsWe used data from Project Viva (N = 460), a pre-birth cohort study that recruited pregnant women in eastern Massachusetts, 1999–2002, and followed offspring into adolescence. We defined residential green space exposure at infancy (median age − 1.1 years), early childhood (3.2 years), mid-childhood (7.7 years), and early adolescence (12.8 years), using 30 m resolution Landsat satellite imagery to estimate the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index [NDVI]. Our main outcome was early adolescence estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). We used multiple imputation to account for missing data and multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, parental education, household income, and neighborhood median household income. ResultsThe highest green space tertile had the highest percentage of white participants (85%), college-educated mothers (87%) and fathers (85%), and households with income higher than US$70,000 (86%). Unadjusted models showed that participants living in the highest green space tertile at infancy had a 0.15 unit lower HOMA-IR (95% CI: −0.23, −0.06) in early adolescence, than those living in the lowest tertile. However, in adjusted models, we did not observe evidence of associations between green space from infancy to early adolescence and HOMA-IR in early adolescence, although some point estimates were in the hypothesized direction. For example, participants in the highest green space tertile in infancy had 0.03 units lower HOMA-IR (95%CI: −0.14, 0.08) than those living in the lowest tertile. ConclusionsExposure to green space at early life sensitive time periods was not associated with HOMA-IR in youth. Early-life longitudinal studies across diverse populations are needed to confirm or refute our results.

Impact of urban environmental exposures on cognitive performance and brain structure of healthy individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s dementia

BackgroundAir quality might contribute to incidence of dementia-related disorders, including Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). The aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of urban environmental exposures (including exposure to air pollution, noise and green space) on cognitive performance and brain structure of cognitively unimpaired individuals at risk for AD. Participants and methodsThe ALFA (ALzheimer and FAmilies) study is a prospective cohort of middle-age, cognitively unimpaired subjects, many of them offspring of AD patients. Cognitive performance was measured by the administration of episodic memory and executive function tests (N = 958). Structural brain imaging was performed in a subsample of participants to obtain morphological information of brain areas, specially focused on cortical thickness, known to be affected by AD (N = 228). Land Use Regression models were used to estimate residential exposure to air pollutants. The daily average noise level at the street nearest to each participant's residential address was obtained from noise maps. For each participant residential green exposure indicators, such as surrounding greenness or amount of green, were generated. General linear models were conducted to assess the association between environmental exposures, cognitive performance and brain structure in a cross-sectional analysis. ResultsNo significant associations were observed between urban environmental exposures and the cognitive composite (p > 0.1). Higher exposure to air pollutants, but not noise, was associated with lower cortical thickness in brain regions known to be affected by AD, especially NO2 (β = −16.4; p = 0.05) and PM10 (β = −5.34; p = 0.05). On the other hand, increasing greenness indicators was associated with greater thickness in these same areas (β = 0.08; p = 0.03). ConclusionIn cognitively unimpaired adults with increased risk for AD, increased exposure to air pollution was suggested to be associated with greater global atrophy and reduced volume and thickness in specific brain areas known to be affected in AD, thus suggesting a potential link between environmental exposures and cerebral vulnerability to AD. Although more research in the field is needed, air pollution reduction is crucial for decreasing the burden of age-related disorders.

Exploring the linkage between greenness exposure and depression among Chinese people: Mediating roles of physical activity, stress and social cohesion and moderating role of urbanicity.

Although a plethora of studies have investigated the association between green exposure and mental health in developed countries, it is only recently that academics and policymakers have paid attention to how this association works in rapidly urbanizing and developing countries. This study aims to explore biopsychosocial pathways linking residential greenness exposure to depression in the Chinese context using data from the 2016 wave of China Labour-force Dynamics Survey. Results from multilevel models along with mediation analysis show that exposure to residential greenness is negatively associated with depression, and that physical activity, stress and neighbourhood social cohesion altogether have a complete mediation effect on this association. Results from moderation analysis suggest that urbanicity moderates the relationship between greenness exposure and depression, and that the relationship is strongest at the upper level of urbanicity. Our findings suggest the necessity of increasing the provision of recreational green spaces and improving the quality of green spaces in Chinese less urbanized areas.

Exposure to Residential Greenness as a Predictor of Cause-Specific Mortality and Stroke Incidence in the Rome Longitudinal Study.

Background:Living in areas with higher levels of surrounding greenness and access to urban green areas have been associated with beneficial health outcomes. Some studies suggested a beneficial influence on mortality, but the evidence is still controversial.Objectives:We used longitudinal data from a large cohort to estimate associations of two measures of residential greenness exposure with cause-specific mortality and stroke incidence.Methods:We studied a population-based cohort of 1,263,721 residents in Rome aged , followed from 2001 to 2013. As greenness exposure, we utilized the leaf area index (LAI), which expresses the tree canopy as the leaf area per unit ground surface area, and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) within 300- and buffers around home addresses. We estimated the association between the two measures of residential greenness and the outcomes using Cox models, after controlling for relevant individual covariates and contextual characteristics, and explored potential mediation by air pollution [fine particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter and ] and road traffic noise.Results:We observed 198,704 deaths from nonaccidental causes, 81,269 from cardiovascular diseases [CVDs; 29,654 from ischemic heart disease (IHD)], 18,090 from cerebrovascular diseases, and 29,033 incident cases of stroke. Residential greenness, expressed as interquartile range (IQR) increase in LAI within , was inversely associated with stroke incidence {hazard ratio (HR) 0.977 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.961, 0.994]} and mortality for nonaccidental [HR 0.988 (95% CI: 0.981, 0.994)], cardiovascular [HR 0.984 (95% CI: 0.974, 0.994)] and cerebrovascular diseases [HR 0.964 (95% CI: 0.943, 0.985)]. Similar results were obtained using NDVI with 300- or buffers.Conclusions:Living in greener areas was associated with better health outcomes in our study, which could be partly due to reduced exposure to environmental hazards. Further research is required to understand the underlying mechanisms. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2854

Residential greenness and prevalence of major depressive disorders: a cross-sectional, observational, associational study of 94 879 adult UK Biobank participants

Increased urbanisation and the associated reduced contact of individuals with natural environments have led to a rise in mental disorders, including depression. Residential greenness, a fundamental component of urban design, has been shown to reduce the public health burden of mental disorders. The present study investigates the association between residential green exposure and prevalence of major depressive disorders using a large and diverse cross-sectional dataset from the UK Biobank. In this cross-sectional, observational, associational study, we used baseline data from the UK Biobank cohort of participants aged 37-73 years from across the UK. Environmental exposure data were derived from a modelled and linked built environment database. Residential greenness was assessed with a 0·5 m resolution Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, which is derived from spectral reflectance measurements in remotely sensed colour infrared data and measured within geocoded dwelling catchments. Other environment metrics included street-level movement density, terrain, and fine particulate exposures. A series of logistic models examined associations between residential greenness and odds of major depressive disorder after adjusting for activity-influencing environments and individual covariates. Of 122 993 participants with data on major depressive disorder, the study analytical sample comprised 94 879 (77·1%) participants recruited across ten UK Biobank assessment centres between April 29, 2009, and Oct 1, 2010. A protective effect of greenness on depression was consistently observed, with 4·0% lower odds of major depressive disorder per interquartile increment in Normalised Difference Vegetation Index greenness (odds ratio 0·960, 95% CI 0·93-0·99; p=0·0044). Interaction analyses indicated that the beneficial effects of greenness were more pronounced among women, participants younger than 60 years, and participants residing in areas with low neighbourhood socioeconomic status or high urbanicity. The results point to the benefits of well designed green environments on mental health. Further longitudinal studies are needed to decipher causal pathways. In the UK, policies aimed at optimising allocation and design of green spaces might help preserve psychological ecosystem services, thereby, improving the mental wellbeing of populations and enhancing the mental capital of cities. University of Hong Kong, UK Biobank, and the UK Economic & Social Research Council.

Long-term exposure to residential green and blue spaces and anxiety and depression in adults: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundAlthough exposure to natural outdoor environments has been consistently associated with improved perceived general health, available evidence on a protective association between this exposure and specific mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety is still limited. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term exposure to residential green and blue spaces on anxiety and depression and intake of related medication. Additionally, we aimed to explore potential mediators and effect modifiers of this association. MethodsThe study was based on an existing adult cohort (ALFA – Alzheimer and Families) and includes 958 adult participants from Barcelona recruited in 2013–2014. For each participant residential green and blue exposure indicators [surrounding greenness (NDVI), amount of green (land-cover) and access to major green spaces and blue spaces] were generated for different buffers (100m, 300m and 500m). Participants reported their history of doctor-diagnosed anxiety and depressive disorders and intake of related medication. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the corresponding associations. ResultsIncreasing surrounding greenness was associated with reduced odds of self-reported history of benzodiazepines [e.g. Odds ratio - OR (95%CI) = 0.62 (0.43, 0.89) for 1-interquartile range (IQR) increase in NDVI in a 300m buffer] and access to major green spaces was associated with self-reported history of depression [OR (95%CI) = 0.18 (0.06, 0.58)]. No statistically significant associations were observed with blue spaces. Air pollution (between 0.8% and 29.6%) and noise (between 2.2% and 5.3%) mediated a proportion of the associations observed, whereas physical activity and social support played a minor role. ConclusionOur findings suggest a potential protective role of green spaces on mental health (depression and anxiety) in adults, but further studies, especially longitudinal studies, are needed to provide further evidence of these benefits and of the mediation role of exposures like air pollution and noise.

Telomere tracking from birth to adulthood and residential traffic exposure

BackgroundTelomere attrition is extremely rapid during the first years of life, while lifestyle during adulthood exerts a minor impact. This suggests that early life is an important period in the determination of telomere length. We investigated the importance of the early-life environment on both telomere tracking and adult telomere length.MethodsAmong 184 twins of the East Flanders Prospective Twin Survey, telomere length in placental tissue and in buccal cells in young adulthood was measured. Residential addresses at birth and in young adulthood were geocoded and residential traffic and greenness exposure was determined.ResultsWe investigated individual telomere tracking from birth over a 20 year period (mean age (SD), 22.6 (3.1) years) in association with residential exposure to traffic and greenness. Telomere length in placental tissue and in buccal cells in young adulthood correlated positively (r = 0.31, P < 0.0001). Persons with higher placental telomere length at birth were more likely to have a stronger downward shift in telomere ranking over life (P < 0.0001). Maternal residential traffic exposure correlated inversely with telomere length at birth. Independent of birth placental telomere length, telomere ranking between birth and young adulthood was negatively and significantly associated with residential traffic exposure at the birth address, while traffic exposure at the residential address at adult age was not associated with telomere length.ConclusionsLongitudinal evidence of telomere length tracking from birth to adulthood shows inverse associations of residential traffic exposure in association with telomere length at birth as well as accelerated telomere shortening in the first two decades of life.

Blood pressure in young adulthood and residential greenness in the early-life environment of twins

BackgroundPrevious research shows that, besides risk factors in adult life, the early-life environment can influence blood pressure and hypertension in adults. However, the effects of residential traffic exposure and residential greenness in the early-life on blood pressure in young adulthood are currently unknown.MethodsAmbulatory (24-h) blood pressures of 278 twins (132 pairs) of the East Flanders Prospective Twins Study were obtained at the age of 18 to 25 years. Prenatal and adulthood residential addresses were geocoded and used to assign prenatal and postnatal traffic and greenness indicators. Mixed modelling was performed to investigate blood pressure in association with greenness while adjusting for potential confounding factors.ResultsNight-time systolic blood pressure was inversely associated with greenness at the residential address in twins living at the same address their entire life (non-movers, n = 97, 34.9%). An interquartile increase in residential greenness exposure (1000 m radius) was associated with a 3.59 mmHg (95% CI: -6.0 to −1.23; p = 0.005) lower adult night systolic blood pressure. Among twins who were living at a different address than their birth address at time of the measurement (n = 181, 65.1%), night-time blood pressure was inversely associated with residential surrounding greenness at adult age as well as with residential greenness in early-life. However after additional adjustment for residential greenness exposure in adulthood, only residential greenness exposure in early-life was significantly associated with night systolic blood pressure. While no significant effect of adult residential greenness with adult blood pressure was observed, while accounting for the early-life greenness exposure.ConclusionsLower residential greenness in the early-life environment was independently associated with a higher adult blood pressure. This indicates that residential greenness has persistent effects on blood pressure.