How do natural features in the residential environment influence women's self-reported general health? Results from cross-sectional analyses of a U.S. national cohort
The relationship between health and human interaction with nature is complex. Here we conduct analyses to provide insights into potential health benefits related to residential proximity to nature. We aimed to examine associations between measures of residential nature and self-reported general heal...
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Veröffentlicht in: | Environmental research 2020-04, Vol.183, p.109176-109176, Article 109176 |
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Zusammenfassung: | The relationship between health and human interaction with nature is complex. Here we conduct analyses to provide insights into potential health benefits related to residential proximity to nature.
We aimed to examine associations between measures of residential nature and self-reported general health (SRGH), and to explore mediation roles of behavioral, social, and air quality factors, and variations in these relationships by urbanicity and regional climate.
Using residential addresses for 41,127 women from the Sister Study, a U.S.-based national cohort, we derived two nature exposure metrics, canopy and non-gray cover, using Percent Tree Canopy and Percent Developed Imperviousness from the National Land Cover Database. Residential circular buffers of 250 m and 1250 m were considered. Gradient boosted regression trees were used to model the effects of nature exposure on the odds of reporting better SRGH (Excellent/Very Good versus the referent, Good/Fair/Poor). Analyses stratified by urbanicity and regional climate (arid, continental, temperate) and mediation by physical activity, social support, and air quality were conducted.
A 10% increase in canopy and non-gray cover within 1250 m buffer was associated with 1.02 (95% CI: 1.00–1.03) and 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01–1.04) times the odds of reporting better SRGH, respectively. Stronger associations were observed for the urban group and for continental climate relative to other strata. Social support and physical activity played a more significant mediation role than air quality for the full study population.
Findings from this study identified a small but important beneficial association between residential nature and general health. These findings could inform community planning and investments in neighborhood nature for targeted health improvements and potential societal and environmental co-benefits.
•Women living in a neighborhood with more natural features reported better SRGH.•Stronger associations observed in urban areas and in continental climate.•Social support and physical activity were stronger mediators than air quality.•Observed effect is small but of public health importance. |
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ISSN: | 0013-9351 1096-0953 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109176 |