Access to urban green and blue spaces significantly reduces the likelihood of coronary artery calcification among middle-aged individuals, serving as an early indicator of cardiovascular diseases. This correlation is robust in Black individuals and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, with the most pronounced effects observed among Black residents in economically disadvantaged areas. Black participants with substantial access to river areas showed a 32% decrease in the likelihood of coronary artery calcification compared to those with minimal access, while increased exposure to green spaces correlated with up to a 35% reduction in calcification odds for Black participants. Additionally, a 10% increase in green space exposure correlated with an average 15% reduction in calcification odds.
These findings were recently published in the journal Circulation on June 27. Coronary artery calcification involves the buildup of calcium within the plaque on the walls of the coronary arteries, an early sign of coronary artery disease that could lead to a heart attack. Dr. Lifang Hou, the corresponding author and a professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, highlighted the protective role of urban green and blue spaces against coronary artery calcification. Dr Hou pointed out that these environments are especially beneficial for underprivileged groups at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, advocating for environmental policies that enhance access and the quality of urban natural spaces to promote public health and address disparities related to race and neighbourhood.
The health benefits associated with green and blue spaces are numerous, including increased opportunities for physical activity, social interactions, stress relief, and environmental restoration. Such exposures also boost immune function, reduce chronic inflammation, and slow down the biological ageing process—all crucial factors in improving overall and cardiovascular health. Dr. Hou noted the importance of further research to comprehend how urban natural settings can fully influence health pathways.
However, the study also indicated that proximity to parks could adversely affect specific neighbourhoods. Individuals residing closer to parks in these areas faced a 29% higher chance of developing coronary artery calcification compared to those with lesser access. The poor condition of these parks or related safety concerns might deter their use, preventing residents from fully benefiting from these spaces. Kyeezu Kim, the study’s first author and adjunct assistant professor of preventive medicine at Feinberg, as well as an associate professor at Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine in South Korea, emphasised the need for improved management and quality control of park environments in socio-economically challenged neighbourhoods. This approach is crucial for maximising the public health benefits of urban spaces, and further data is warranted to explain these observations fully.
Dr Hou and the research team’s findings underscore the potential public health benefits of improving access to and quality residential blue and green spaces. Such measures can promote health benefits and address racial and neighbourhood-related health disparities, providing quantitative evidence supporting environmental policies to enhance urban natural environments for the well-being of all residents, especially those in underserved communities.
More information: Kyeezu Kim et al, Associations of Urban Blue and Green Spaces With Coronary Artery Calcification in Black Individuals and Disadvantaged Neighborhoods, Circulation. DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.067992
Journal information: Circulation Provided by Northwestern University
