Urban Green Space and the Pursuit of Health Equity in Parts of the United States

Jennings, Viniece; Baptiste, April Karen; Jelks, Na’Taki Osborne; Skeete, Renée

doi:10.3390/ijerph14111432

Cited by 52 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…This finding is especially useful because >80% of persons in North America now reside in urban centers ( 48 ), the distribution of I. scapularis ticks continues to expand ( 38 ), and interest is increasing in urban green space serving as a key moderator of poverty, health, health equity, and environmental justice ( 49 ). Initiatives that increase urban green space have clear benefits for human well-being, climate change mitigation, and wildlife conservation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancement of Risk for Lyme Disease by Landscape Connectivity, New York, New York, USA

VanAcker¹,

Little²,

Molaei³

et al. 2019

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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Most tickborne disease studies in the United States are conducted in low-intensity residential development and forested areas, leaving much unknown about urban infection risks. To understand Lyme disease risk in New York, New York, USA, we conducted tick surveys in 24 parks throughout all 5 boroughs and assessed how park connectivity and landscape composition contribute to Ixodes scapularis tick nymphal densities and Borrelia burgdorferi infection. We used circuit theory models to determine how parks differentially maintain landscape connectivity for white-tailed deer, the reproductive host for I. scapularis ticks. We found forested parks with vegetated buffers and increased connectivity had higher nymph densities, and the degree of park connectivity strongly determined B. burgdorferi nymphal infection prevalence. Our study challenges the perspective that tickborne disease risk is restricted to suburban and natural settings and emphasizes the need to understand how green space design affects vector and host communities in areas of emerging urban tickborne disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancement of Risk for Lyme Disease by Landscape Connectivity, New York, New York, USA

VanAcker¹,

Little²,

Molaei³

et al. 2019

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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“…Understanding the social dynamics within vulnerable populations can inform strategies to reduce health inequalities and disparities. Enhancing the social environment, particularly in disadvantaged areas can also support the pursuit sustainable communities [66] and health equity [67].…”

Section: Social Cohesion and Its Role In Public Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, some residents consider the subdomains of social cohesion (e.g., volunteerism, social engagement, and shared identity) and the presence of green space as valuable assets to enhancing quality of life [110]. Previous studies discuss the potential for urban greening and other outdoor activities to enhance social conditions in ways that can lead to empowerment [67,92,111,112,113]. However, these observations can vary based on the impact and support provided from such activities.…”

Section: Potential Mechanisms and Pathwaysmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship between Social Cohesion and Urban Green Space: An Avenue for Health Promotion

Jennings

Bamkole

2019

IJERPH

Self Cite

550

277

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Social cohesion involves the interpersonal dynamics and sense of connection among people. Increased social cohesion can be associated with various physical and psychological health benefits. The presence of urban green spaces can encourage positive social interactions that cultivate social cohesion in ways that enhance health and well-being. Urban green spaces have also been linked to positive health behaviors and outcomes including increased physical activity and social engagement. Understanding the relationship between social cohesion and urban green space is important for informing holistic approaches to health. In this article, we discuss how positive interactions in urban green space can catalyze social cohesion, social capital and critical health-promoting behaviors that may enhance psychological health and well-being. We also summarize the strengths and limitations of previous studies and suggest directions for future research.

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“…To be maximally effective, clinical interventions targeting park use in low-income settings may need to be offered in conjunction with supports related to basic material needs like food, housing, and utilities. Indeed, some have raised the concern that the prescription model does not consider the relationships between socioeconomic barriers and time spent in nature [35], arguing that the disproportionate use and distribution of outdoor recreational spaces such as parks are rooted in racial segregation and social inequality [36].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Screening for Park Access during a Primary Care Social Determinants Screen

Razani

Long

Hessler

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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While there is evidence that access to nature and parks benefits pediatric health, it is unclear how low-income families living in an urban center acknowledge or prioritize access to parks. Methods: We conducted a study about access to parks by pediatric patients in a health system serving low-income families. Adult caregivers of pediatric patients completed a survey to identify and prioritize unmet social and economic needs, including access to parks. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore associations between lack of access to parks and sociodemographic variables. We also explored the extent to which access to parks competed with other needs. Results: The survey was completed by 890 caregivers; 151 (17%) identified “access to green spaces/parks/playgrounds” as an unmet need, compared to 397 (45%) who endorsed “running out of food before you had money or food stamps to buy more”. Being at or below the poverty line doubled the odds (Odds ratio 1.96, 95% CI 1.16–3.31) of lacking access to a park (reference group: above the poverty line), and lacking a high school degree nearly doubled the odds. Thirty-three of the 151 (22%) caregivers who identified access to parks as an unmet need prioritized it as one of three top unmet needs. Families who faced competing needs of housing, food, and employment insecurity were less likely to prioritize park access (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Clinical interventions to increase park access would benefit from an understanding of the social and economic adversity faced by patients.

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Urban Green Space and the Pursuit of Health Equity in Parts of the United States

Cited by 52 publications

References 68 publications

Enhancement of Risk for Lyme Disease by Landscape Connectivity, New York, New York, USA

Enhancement of Risk for Lyme Disease by Landscape Connectivity, New York, New York, USA

The Relationship between Social Cohesion and Urban Green Space: An Avenue for Health Promotion

Screening for Park Access during a Primary Care Social Determinants Screen

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