A scoping review on the relations between urban form and health: a focus on Canadian quantitative evidence

Abstract

Introduction Despite the accumulating Canadian evidence regarding the relations between urban form and health behaviours, less is known about the associations between urban form and health conditions. Our study aim was to undertake a scoping review to synthesize evidence from quantitative studies that have investigated the relationship between built environment and chronic health conditions, self-reported health and qual¬ity of life, and injuries in the Canadian adult population. Methods From January to March 2017, we searched 13 databases to identify peer-reviewed quantitative studies from all years that estimated associations between the objectively-measured built environment and health conditions in Canadian adults. Studies under¬taken within urban settings only were included. Relevant studies were catalogued and synthesized in relation to their reported study and sample design, and health outcome and built environment features. Results Fifty-five articles met the inclusion criteria, 52 of which were published after 2008. Most single province studies were undertaken in Ontario (n = 22), Quebec (n = 12), and Alberta (n = 7). Associations between the built environment features and 11 broad health outcomes emerged from the review, including injury (n = 19), weight status (n = 19), cardiovascular disease (n = 5), depression/anxiety (n = 5), diabetes (n = 5), mortality (n = 4), self-rated health (n = 2), chronic conditions (n = 2), metabolic condi¬tions (n = 2), quality of life (n = 1), and cancer (n = 1). Consistent evidence for asso¬ciations between aggregate built environment indicators (e.g., walkability) and diabetes and weight and between connectivity and route features (e.g., transportation route, trails, pathways, sidewalks, street pattern, intersections, route characteristics) and injury were found. Evidence for greenspace, parks and recreation features impacting multiple health outcomes was also found. Conclusion Within the Canadian context, the built environment is associated with a range of chronic health conditions and injury in adults, but the evidence to date has limi¬tations. More research on the built environment and health incorporating rigorous study designs are needed to provide stronger causal evidence to inform policy and practice.

Park Proximity and Use for Physical Activity among Urban Residents: Associations with Mental Health

“…It is well established that physical activity in and of itself can reduce symptoms of depression [ 10 , 11 ], improve anxiety [ 12 ], and increase quality of life [ 13 ]. In several recent reviews, the availability of useable greenspace and proximity to parks were significantly associated with multiple health outcomes among urban residents, including lower weight status, reduced cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk, lower levels of anxiety and depression, reduced stress, and better quality of life [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Being outdoors in green spaces, away from work, and with family and friends may even provide immediate boosts in self-reported happiness, as demonstrated in a large sample of London, UK residents [ 2 ].…”

Evidence synthesis - Neighbourhood retail food outlet access, diet and body mass index in Canada: a systematic review

“…The literature is characterized by measurement inconsistency, a lack of longitudinal and intervention studies and little geographic variability, with a scarcity of studies on rural and Indigenous communities. Another scoping review 12 on urban form and health in Canada found that most studies that examined food environment access measures and health outcomes such as weight status, cardiovascular disease and diabetes reported at least one statistically significant association.…”

Active and Fit Communities. Associations between Neighborhood Walkability and Health-Related Fitness in Adults

“…Evidence demonstrating associations between the neighborhood environment and chronic disease [26,27], well-being [28], and physical activity [29,30] exists, yet few studies have investigated the relations between the neighborhood built environment and fitness [31][32][33][34][35]. For example, Hoehner et al [31] found positive associations between objectively-measured neighborhood intersection density, vegetation coverage, and count of private exercise facilities and objectively-measured CRF.…”