The connection between greenspaces and health benefits has long been acknowledged, particularly their role in reducing risk factors associated with heart disease like hypertension and diabetes. A recent study, prominently featured in the journal ‘Health and Place’ and conducted by the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, reveals that areas rich in greenspace see notably lower mortality rates from heart disease, with men benefiting substantially. This research scrutinised heart disease-related deaths in Philadelphia from 2008 to 2015, revealing unexpected results that diverged from initial predictions; notably, neighbourhoods with higher crime rates and substantial park access and tree coverage showed decreased heart disease mortality rates.
This pioneering study stands out for its gender-specific analysis of greenspace benefits on heart disease mortality while incorporating factors such as violent crime into its evaluation. Leah Schinasi, PhD, the senior author of the study and an assistant professor at Dornsife, highlighted the unexpected role of violent crime in augmenting the health advantages offered by greenspaces. She stressed the importance of understanding the intricate interplay between social contexts, the built environment, and individual identities in designing universal community spaces that maximise health benefits.
Similar findings have been observed in international studies from Canada and Lithuania, which also noted that men reap more significant health benefits from access to greenspace than women. In the United States, heart disease remains the principal cause of death, with annual fatalities numbering over 700,000, as reported by the CDC. The study’s data sources were comprehensive, drawing from the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Philadelphia Police Department, and other local data assessments, including tree canopy and vegetation cover data and perceptions of park access from a health survey covering Southeastern Pennsylvania.
The city of Philadelphia has been proactive in enhancing its greenspace through initiatives like the “Greenworks Philadelphia” plan announced in 2009 by former mayor Michael Nutter, aiming for 30% tree coverage in each neighbourhood by 2025. Although only 20% coverage was achieved by 2018, the city has launched a ten-year tree planting and maintenance plan to compensate for significant tree loss over the previous decade.
Wanyu Huang, a contributor to the study as a doctoral candidate, emphasised the multifaceted health benefits of greenspaces, which include cleaner air, stress reduction, cooling effects during hot months, and noise pollution reduction through natural sound barriers. The authors advocate for further research into the nuanced differences between genders in greenspace usage and safety perceptions. They noted that disparities in the sense of safety might explain why women benefit less from greenspaces, potentially due to less frequent and shorter visits to parks than men and an elevated fear of crime, which influences their willingness to engage with these public spaces.
Future research is encouraged to delve deeper into how personal and social identity factors, such as gender, shape experiences and behaviours in greenspace settings, aiming to illuminate broader social dynamics that influence public health outcomes. The ongoing investigations into greenspace benefits highlight the importance of urban planning in public health strategies and reflect an increasing recognition of the complex factors that dictate the efficacy of such environmental resources in improving population health.
More information: Wanyu Huang et al, Gender and violent crime modify associations between greenspace and cardiovascular disease mortality in Philadelphia, PA, Health & Place. DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103372
Journal information: Health & Place Provided by Drexel University
