Scott C Brown1, Joanna Lombard2, Kefeng Wang3, Margaret M Byrne3, Matthew Toro3, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk2, Daniel J Feaster3, Jack Kardys4, Maria I Nardi4, Gianna Perez-Gomez3, Hilda M Pantin3, José Szapocznik2. 1. Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; University of Miami School of Architecture, Coral Gables, Florida. Electronic address: sbrown@med.miami.edu. 2. Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; University of Miami School of Architecture, Coral Gables, Florida. 3. Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida. 4. Miami-Dade County Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, Miami, Florida.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Prior studies suggest that exposure to the natural environment may impact health. The present study examines the association between objective measures of block-level greenness (vegetative presence) and chronic medical conditions, including cardiometabolic conditions, in a large population-based sample of Medicare beneficiaries in Miami-Dade County, Florida. METHODS: The sample included 249,405 Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years whose location (ZIP+4) within Miami-Dade County, Florida, did not change, from 2010 to 2011. Data were obtained in 2013 and multilevel analyses conducted in 2014 to examine relationships between greenness, measured by mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index from satellite imagery at the Census block level, and chronic health conditions in 2011, adjusting for neighborhood median household income, individual age, gender, race, and ethnicity. RESULTS: Higher greenness was significantly associated with better health, adjusting for covariates: An increase in mean block-level Normalized Difference Vegetation Index from 1 SD less to 1 SD more than the mean was associated with 49 fewer chronic conditions per 1,000 individuals, which is approximately similar to a reduction in age of the overall study population by 3 years. This same level of increase in mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was associated with a reduced risk of diabetes by 14%, hypertension by 13%, and hyperlipidemia by 10%. Planned post-hoc analyses revealed stronger and more consistently positive relationships between greenness and health in lower- than higher-income neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS: Greenness or vegetative presence may be effective in promoting health in older populations, particularly in poor neighborhoods, possibly due to increased time outdoors, physical activity, or stress mitigation.
INTRODUCTION: Prior studies suggest that exposure to the natural environment may impact health. The present study examines the association between objective measures of block-level greenness (vegetative presence) and chronic medical conditions, including cardiometabolic conditions, in a large population-based sample of Medicare beneficiaries in Miami-Dade County, Florida. METHODS: The sample included 249,405 Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years whose location (ZIP+4) within Miami-Dade County, Florida, did not change, from 2010 to 2011. Data were obtained in 2013 and multilevel analyses conducted in 2014 to examine relationships between greenness, measured by mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index from satellite imagery at the Census block level, and chronic health conditions in 2011, adjusting for neighborhood median household income, individual age, gender, race, and ethnicity. RESULTS: Higher greenness was significantly associated with better health, adjusting for covariates: An increase in mean block-level Normalized Difference Vegetation Index from 1 SD less to 1 SD more than the mean was associated with 49 fewer chronic conditions per 1,000 individuals, which is approximately similar to a reduction in age of the overall study population by 3 years. This same level of increase in mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was associated with a reduced risk of diabetes by 14%, hypertension by 13%, and hyperlipidemia by 10%. Planned post-hoc analyses revealed stronger and more consistently positive relationships between greenness and health in lower- than higher-income neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS: Greenness or vegetative presence may be effective in promoting health in older populations, particularly in poor neighborhoods, possibly due to increased time outdoors, physical activity, or stress mitigation.
Authors: Jianyong Wu; Kristen M Rappazzo; Ross J Simpson; Golsa Joodi; Irion W Pursell; J Paul Mounsey; Wayne E Cascio; Laura E Jackson Journal: Environ Int Date: 2018-02-06 Impact factor: 9.621
Authors: Irmina Klicnik; Andrew Putman; Dany Doiron; Caroline Barakat; Chris I Ardern; David Rudoler; Shilpa Dogra Journal: Prev Med Rep Date: 2022-10-11
Authors: Hari S Iyer; Peter James; Linda Valeri; Francis Bajunirwe; Joan Nankya-Mutyoba; Marina Njelekela; Faraja Chiwanga; Vikash Sewram; IkeOluwapo Ajayi; Clement Adebamowo; Shona Dalal; Todd G Reid; Timothy R Rebbeck; Hans-Olov Adami; Michelle D Holmes Journal: Environ Res Date: 2020-10-31 Impact factor: 6.498