Dec 19, 2024 11:38 PM
Men and residents of higher crime areas see greater benefit from community parks, in reduction of deaths from heart disease
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1068883
INTRO: There’s a well-established link between greenspace and health benefits, including lower rates of heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Now, according to a recently published study, rates of deaths from heart disease — especially among men — are lower in neighborhoods with more greenspace. The findings, from researchers at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health, were recently published in the journal Health and Place.
Studying heart disease deaths in Philadelphia from 2008 to 2015, the researchers also found that, contrary to their hypothesis, it was in neighborhoods with more crime where greater park access and tree canopy cover were linked to lower rates of heart disease deaths.
The data comes from the first study of gender-specific associations of greenspace and heart disease deaths that also factored in violent crime.
“We found the modifying role that violent crime plays in influencing the health benefits from greenspace most surprising,” said senior author Leah Schinasi, PhD, an assistant professor at Dornsife. “By better understanding the complex interactions between social context, built environments and personal identities, we can design safer community spaces to maximize health benefits for all.”
Studies from Canada and Lithuania also found disproportionate health benefits for men, when compared to women, from greenspace access. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing 702,880 people annually, according to the CDC... (MORE - details, no ads)
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1068883
INTRO: There’s a well-established link between greenspace and health benefits, including lower rates of heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Now, according to a recently published study, rates of deaths from heart disease — especially among men — are lower in neighborhoods with more greenspace. The findings, from researchers at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health, were recently published in the journal Health and Place.
Studying heart disease deaths in Philadelphia from 2008 to 2015, the researchers also found that, contrary to their hypothesis, it was in neighborhoods with more crime where greater park access and tree canopy cover were linked to lower rates of heart disease deaths.
The data comes from the first study of gender-specific associations of greenspace and heart disease deaths that also factored in violent crime.
“We found the modifying role that violent crime plays in influencing the health benefits from greenspace most surprising,” said senior author Leah Schinasi, PhD, an assistant professor at Dornsife. “By better understanding the complex interactions between social context, built environments and personal identities, we can design safer community spaces to maximize health benefits for all.”
Studies from Canada and Lithuania also found disproportionate health benefits for men, when compared to women, from greenspace access. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing 702,880 people annually, according to the CDC... (MORE - details, no ads)