Tatiana Perrino1, Joanna Lombard2, Tatjana Rundek3, Kefeng Wang4, Chuanhui Dong5, Carolina Marinovic Gutierrez6, Matthew Toro7, Margaret M Byrne8, Maria I Nardi9, Jack Kardys10, José Szapocznik11, Scott C Brown12. 1. Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences,Miller School of Medicine,University of Miami,USA. 2. Professor of Architecture,School of Architecture,University of Miami,USA. 3. Professor of Neurology,Miller School of Medicine,University of Miami,USA. 4. Biostatistician,Miller School of Medicine,University of Miami,USA. 5. Research Associate Professor of Neurology,Miller School of Medicine,University of Miami,USA. 6. Director of Neurology Research and Advocacy,Miller School of Medicine,University of Miami,USA. 7. Director of Maps, Imagery, and Geospatial Services,Map and Geospatial Hub,Arizona State University Library,USA. 8. Associate Member,Moffitt Cancer Center; andAdjunct Associate Professor,College of Medicine,University of South Florida,USA. 9. Director,Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces,Miami-Dade County,USA. 10. Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces,Miami-Dade County,USA. 11. Professor of Public Health Sciences,Miller School of Medicine,University of Miami,USA. 12. Research Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences,Miller School of Medicine,University of Miami,USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neighbourhood greenness or vegetative presence has been associated with indicators of health and well-being, but its relationship to depression in older adults has been less studied. Understanding the role of environmental factors in depression may inform and complement traditional depression interventions, including both prevention and treatment.AimsThis study examines the relationship between neighbourhood greenness and depression diagnoses among older adults in Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA. METHOD: Analyses examined 249 405 beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, a USA federal health insurance programme for older adults. Participants were 65 years and older, living in the same Miami location across 2 years (2010-2011). Multilevel analyses assessed the relationship between neighbourhood greenness, assessed by average block-level normalised difference vegetative index via satellite imagery, and depression diagnosis using USA Medicare claims data. Covariates were individual age, gender, race/ethnicity, number of comorbid health conditions and neighbourhood median household income. RESULTS: Over 9% of beneficiaries had a depression diagnosis. Higher levels of greenness were associated with lower odds of depression, even after adjusting for demographics and health comorbidities. When compared with individuals residing in the lowest tertile of greenness, individuals from the middle tertile (medium greenness) had 8% lower odds of depression (odds ratio 0.92; 95% CI 0.88, 0.96; P = 0.0004) and those from the high tertile (high greenness) had 16% lower odds of depression (odds ratio 0.84; 95% CI 0.79, 0.88; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of greenness may reduce depression odds among older adults. Increasing greenery - even to moderate levels - may enhance individual-level approaches to promoting wellness.Declaration of interestNone.
BACKGROUND: Neighbourhood greenness or vegetative presence has been associated with indicators of health and well-being, but its relationship to depression in older adults has been less studied. Understanding the role of environmental factors in depression may inform and complement traditional depression interventions, including both prevention and treatment.AimsThis study examines the relationship between neighbourhood greenness and depression diagnoses among older adults in Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA. METHOD: Analyses examined 249 405 beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, a USA federal health insurance programme for older adults. Participants were 65 years and older, living in the same Miami location across 2 years (2010-2011). Multilevel analyses assessed the relationship between neighbourhood greenness, assessed by average block-level normalised difference vegetative index via satellite imagery, and depression diagnosis using USA Medicare claims data. Covariates were individual age, gender, race/ethnicity, number of comorbid health conditions and neighbourhood median household income. RESULTS: Over 9% of beneficiaries had a depression diagnosis. Higher levels of greenness were associated with lower odds of depression, even after adjusting for demographics and health comorbidities. When compared with individuals residing in the lowest tertile of greenness, individuals from the middle tertile (medium greenness) had 8% lower odds of depression (odds ratio 0.92; 95% CI 0.88, 0.96; P = 0.0004) and those from the high tertile (high greenness) had 16% lower odds of depression (odds ratio 0.84; 95% CI 0.79, 0.88; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of greenness may reduce depression odds among older adults. Increasing greenery - even to moderate levels - may enhance individual-level approaches to promoting wellness.Declaration of interestNone.
Authors: José Ignacio Nazif-Munoz; José Guillermo Cedeno Laurent; Matthew Browning; John Spengler; Héctor A Olvera Álvarez Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-04 Impact factor: 3.390