Nature's contributions in coping with a pandemic in the 21st century: A narrative review of evidence during COVID-19

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 833, P. 155095 - 155095

Published: April 6, 2022

While COVID-19 lockdowns have slowed coronavirus transmission, such structural measures also unintended consequences on mental and physical health. Growing evidence shows that exposure to the natural environment (e.g., blue-green spaces) can improve human health wellbeing. In this narrative review, we synthesized about nature's contributions wellbeing during first two years of pandemic. We found pandemic, people experienced multiple types nature, including both outdoors indoors. Frequency visits outdoor areas (i.e., public parks) depended lockdown severity socio-cultural contexts. Other forms nature exposure, as spending time in private gardens viewing greenery from windows, may increased. The majority suggests pandemic was associated with less depression, anxiety, stress, more happiness life satisfaction. Additionally, correlated inactivity fewer sleep disturbances. Evidence mixed regarding associations between COVID-related outcomes, while might be greater rates transmission mortality when proper social distancing were not maintained. Findings whether helped ameliorate inequities by impacting lower-socioeconomic populations than their higher-socioeconomic counterparts for example mixed. Based these findings, argue buffered negative behavioral impacts Recovery resilience current crises future improved nature-based infrastructure, interventions, designs, governance.

Language: Английский

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Daily exposure to virtual nature reduces symptoms of anxiety in college students

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Jan. 23, 2023

Exposure to natural environments offers an array of mental health benefits. Virtual reality provides simulated experiences being in nature when outdoor access is limited. Previous studies on virtual have focused mainly single "doses" nature. The effects repeated exposure remain poorly understood. Motivated by this gap, we studied the influence a daily intervention symptoms anxiety, depression, and underlying cause poor health: rumination. Forty college students (58% non-Hispanic White, median age = 19) were recruited from two U.S. universities randomly assigned or control group. Over several weeks, anxious arousal (panic) apprehension (worry) decreased with exposure. Participants identifying as women, past VR users, experienced outdoors, engaged beauty benefited particularly strongly did not help anhedonic depression Further research necessary distinguish for whom interventions impact outcomes.

Language: Английский

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Nature contact and general health: Testing multiple serial mediation pathways with data from adults in 18 countries

Environment International, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 178, P. 108077 - 108077

Published: June 30, 2023

The role of neighbourhood nature in promoting good health is increasingly recognised policy and practice, but consistent evidence for the underlying mechanisms lacking. Heterogeneity exposure methods, outcome measures, population characteristics, little exploration recreational use or different types green blue space, multiple separate mediation models previous studies have limited our ability to synthesise findings draw clear conclusions. We examined pathways linking with general using a harmonised international sample adults. Using cross-sectional survey data from 18 countries (n = 15,917), we developed multigroup path model test theorised pathways, controlling sociodemographic variables. tested possibility that (e.g. greenspace, inland bluespace, coastal bluespace) would be associated through lower air pollution exposure, greater physical activity attainment, more social contact, higher subjective well-being. However, central prediction was associations between largely serially mediated by recent visit frequency corresponding environment types, and, subsequently, activity, well-being these frequencies. Several subsidiary analyses assessed robustness results alternative specifications as well effect modification sociodemographics. Consistent this prediction, there statistical support eight nine potential serial via which held range specifications. Effect financial strain, sex, age, urbanicity altered some did not necessarily idea reduced inequalities. demonstrate across countries, nature-health linkages operate primarily contact natural environments. This provides arguments efforts local green/blue spaces promotion disease prevention.

Language: Английский

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Inequalities in urban greenness and epigenetic aging: Different associations by race and neighborhood socioeconomic status

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(26)

Published: June 28, 2023

Slower epigenetic aging is associated with exposure to green space (greenness); however, the longitudinal relationship has not been well studied, particularly in minority groups. We investigated association between 20-year greenness [Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)] and a large, biracial (Black/white), U.S. urban cohort. Using generalized estimating equations adjusted for individual neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics, greater was slower aging. Black participants had less surrounding an attenuated [β

Language: Английский

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Greenspaces And Cardiovascular Health

Circulation Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 134(9), P. 1179 - 1196

Published: April 25, 2024

Accumulating evidence suggests that living in areas of high surrounding greenness or even brief exposures to greenery is conducive cardiovascular health, which may be related the environmental, social, psychological, and physiological benefits greenspaces. Recent data from multiple cross-sectional, longitudinal, cohort studies suggest associated with a lower risk all-cause mortality. High levels neighborhood have been linked also decrease burden disease factors as reflected by rates hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes. Those who live greener environments report better mental health more frequent social interactions, can benefit well. In this narrative review, we discuss linking greenspaces well potential mechanisms underlying beneficial effects greenspaces, including impact vegetation on air, noise light pollution, ambient temperature, physical activity, biodiversity. We review literature acute chronic exposure nature factors, inflammation immune function, highlight biogenic volatile organic compounds are emitted trees shrubs. identify current knowledge gaps area underscore need for additional population understand clearly precisely link between health. Such understanding urgently needed fully redeem promise preventing adverse environmental exposures, mitigating climate change, creating healthier environments.

Language: Английский

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Neighbourhood green space and loneliness in middle-aged and older adults: Evidence from WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health in China

Urban forestry & urban greening, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 95, P. 128324 - 128324

Published: April 7, 2024

Language: Английский

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Physiological and affective responses to green space virtual reality among pregnant women

Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 216, P. 114499 - 114499

Published: Oct. 5, 2022

Benefits of green spaces on stress reduction have been shown in previous studies. Most existing studies to date focused the general population. However, there is a lack understanding physiological mechanisms underlying beneficial effects space among special populations, such as pregnant women. To examine and affective responses recovery women, using simulated exposure through virtual reality (VR). We recruited 63 women between 8 14 weeks' gestational age for laboratory experiment. Participants were randomly assigned view one three, 5-min, VR videos an urban scene with different levels (i.e., non-green, moderate, high) after stressor, Trier Social Stress Test. Physiological measured via changes blood pressure, heart rate, skin conductance level, salivary alpha-amylase, cortisol. Affective response was Positive Negative Affect Scale. found that visual environment associated both including lower systolic pressure [-4.6 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI): −8.8, −0.4], reduced alpha-amylase concentration (−1.2 ng/ml, CI: −2.2, −0.2), improved overall positive affect (score: 6.6, 0.3, 13.0) decreased negative anxiety −2.6, −5.19, −0.04) compared non-green environment. Exposure high park-like setting had strongest impacts recovery. This study demonstrated could effectively ease improve mental health well-being during pregnancy. Even short immersion VR-based may bring benefits, which has significant implications when access actual nature not be possible.

Language: Английский

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Greening plans as (re)presentation of the city: Toward an inclusive and gender-sensitive approach to urban greenspaces

Urban forestry & urban greening, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 86, P. 127984 - 127984

Published: June 2, 2023

Cities around the world are increasingly expanding their sustainability agendas and adopting urban green blue infrastructure planning as a strategy to become more resilient, healthy sustainable. However, development of greening governance often lacks holistic vision that considers social inequities within planning, implementation management spaces. Further, gender have been specific dimension particularly overlooked in despite concerns gaining increasing political relevance recent years. In this research, we assessed extento which equity being considered plans projects at local level. We chose Barcelona (Spain) main case study due its pioneering role implementing crosscutting policies municipal Building on document analysis semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, examined how justice understood operationalized practice, from design phase maintenance projects. Our findings suggest shift evolved an ornamental multifunctional is recently incorporating inclusivity concerns. identified three action areas inclusive, gender-sensitive practices: first, incorporation care guiding visible values recognize multiple needs city residents; second, for different uses perceptions greenspaces, relation accessibility autonomy; third, awareness expertise staff vis-à-vis consideration participatory approaches. Finally, provide practical examples strategies City each area discuss some challenges limitations, including what identify ad hoc intersectional greening.

Language: Английский

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Socioeconomic and environmental determinants of asthma prevalence: a cross-sectional study at the U.S. County level using geographically weighted random forests

International Journal of Health Geographics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 22(1)

Published: Aug. 10, 2023

Abstract Background Some studies have established associations between the prevalence of new-onset asthma and exacerbation socioeconomic environmental determinants. However, research remains limited concerning shape these associations, importance risk factors, how factors vary geographically. Objective We aimed (1) to examine ecological multiple socio-physical determinants in United States; (2) assess geographic variations their relative importance. Methods Our study design is cross sectional based on county-level data for 2020 across States. obtained self-reported adults aged 18 years or older each county. applied conventional geographically weighted random forest (GWRF) investigate (e.g., poverty) air pollution green space). To enhance interpretability GWRF, we assessed through partial dependence plots, ranked according global scores, (3) mapped local variable spatially. Results Of 3059 counties, average was 9.9 (standard deviation ± 0.99). The GWRF outperformed forest. found an indication, example, that temperature inversely associated with prevalence, while poverty showed positive associations. plots had a non-linear shape. Ranking smoking depression were most relevant, space language minor relevance. measures striking geographical differences. Conclusion findings strengthen evidence environments play role explaining but relevance seems results are vital implementing future prevention programs should be tailor-made specific areas.

Language: Английский

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Effects of Greenness on Myopia Risk and School-Level Myopia Prevalence Among High School–Aged Adolescents: Cross-sectional Study

JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9, P. e42694 - e42694

Published: Jan. 9, 2023

Background Myopia is a serious public health issue. High school–aged adolescents in Beijing have an alarming prevalence of myopia. Therefore, determining myopia protective factors essential. Green space has certain association with that can protect against Objective This study aims to examine the effects green around schools on individual risk high and school-level prevalence. Methods was measured using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). A total 13,380 samples 51 were selected from 2021 Municipal Health Commission survey. Adolescent defined as spherical equivalent ≤–1.00 diopters worse eye. Generalized linear mixed models binomial error structure used analyze NDVI personal adjust them by other factors, such demographics, exposure time, outdoor exercise. The adjusted demographics relative position trees analyzed through quasibinomial regression. Results overall 80.61% (10,785/13,380, 95% CI 79.93%-81.27%). Although 0.1 increase 500 1000 m buffer NDVIs demographic significantly dropped 16% (odds ratio [OR] 0.84, 0.73-0.97) 12% (OR 0.88, 0.79-0.99), respectively. However, only (by trees) reduced 15% 0.85, 0.74-0.98). Subgroup analysis showed are significant schoolgirls 0.82, 0.72-0.93), juniors 0.72-0.94), Han nationality 0.72-0.97), 1-year 0.71-0.99) 3-year 0.78, 0.65-0.94). Conclusions greenness associated lower among schools. With regard prevention control activities, within suggested independent factor for adolescent

Language: Английский

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