Social contacts as a possible mechanism behind the relation between green space and health

Maas, Jolanda; Dillen, S.M.E. van; Verheij, Robert; Groenewegen, Peter

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2008.09.006

Cited by 937 publications

(715 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Factors such as deprived and densely populated neighborhoods, social disorganization, and poorquality built environments have shown associations with depression, [175][176][177][178][179] even when neighborhood median income is accounted for. Conversely, higher levels of neighborhood green space in low-income communities have been linked to lower levels of perceived stress and a steeper diurnal decline in cortisol secretion, 180,181 increased social contact, 182 improved mental health, 183,184 and lower all-cause mortality. 185 Although a social drift explanation (ie, people with mental health problems being more likely to move into poor neighborhoods) could at least partially explain some associations between the built environment and negative emotional states or poor mental health, it also has been shown that moving to less disadvantaged neighborhoods appears to decrease psychological distress.…”

Section: Psychological Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Determinants of Risk and Outcomes for Cardiovascular Disease

Havranek¹,

Mujahid²,

Barr³

et al. 2015

Circulation

1,150

732

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Section: Psychological Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Determinants of Risk and Outcomes for Cardiovascular Disease

Havranek¹,

Mujahid²,

Barr³

et al. 2015

Circulation

1,150

732

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“…Public urban green space has been shown to facilitate social networking and promote social inclusion in children and adolescents (Seeland et al 2009;Ward Thompson et al 2016). The quantity and the quality of greenery have been linked with improved social cohesion at the neighbourhood scale (de Vries et al 2013) while shortage of green space has been associated with perception of loneliness and lack of social support (Maas et al 2009a). However, the relationships between green space and social well-being are complex.…”

Section: Improved Social Capital and Cohesionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Urban Green Space on Environmental Health, Equity and Resilience

Braubach

Egorov

Mudu

et al. 2017

Theory and Practice of Urban Sustainability Transitions

144

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Modern urban life style is associated with chronic stress, insufficient physical activity and exposure to anthropogenic environmental hazards. Urban green space, such as parks, playgrounds, and residential greenery, can promote mental and physical health and reduce morbidity and mortality in urban residents by providing psychological relaxation and stress alleviation, stimulating social cohesion, supporting physical activity, and reducing exposure to air pollutants, noise and excessive heat.This chapter summarizes the pathways that link green spaces to health and wellbeing, and discusses available evidence of specific beneficial effects such as improved mental health, reduced risks of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and death, and improved pregnancy outcomes Specific attention is given to benefits of urban green space for disadvantaged groups and their impacts on health equity. Potential health risks associated with urban green spaces are also discussed along with approaches to reducing or eliminating these risks through proper design and maintenance of green spaces.

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“…92 Green spaces may also affect health by providing spaces for interaction and shared interest, thereby promoting social capital and cohesion. [93][94][95][96] Density of urban tree canopy has been found to be a predictor of social capital. 96 In a public housing setting in Chicago, residents living in areas with green common space reported more use of common space and more social cohesion compared to those living in a barren, ungreen areas.…”

Section: Urban Greening As Place-based Public Health Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature-Based Strategies for Improving Urban Health and Safety

2015

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Place-based programs are being noticed as key opportunities to prevent disease and promote public health and safety for populations at-large. As one key type of place-based intervention, nature-based and green space strategies can play an especially large role in improving health and safety for dwellers in urban environments such as US legacy cities that lack nature and greenery. In this paper, we describe the current understanding of place-based influences on public health and safety. We focus on nonchemical environmental factors, many of which are related to urban abandonment and blight. We then review findings from studies of nature-based interventions regarding impacts on health, perceptions of safety, and crime. Based on our findings, we suggest that further research in this area will require (1) refined measures of green space, nature, and health and safety for cities, (2) interdisciplinary science and cross-sector policy collaboration, (3) observational studies as well as randomized controlled experiments and natural experiments using appropriate spatial counterfactuals and mixed methods, and (4) return-on-investment calculations of potential economic, social, and health costs and benefits of urban greening initiatives. KEYWORDS Urban nature, Green space, Place-based interventions, Public health, CrimeThere is growing support of place-based programs to help prevent disease and promote public health and safety. [1][2][3][4][5] This movement is largely motivated by increasing findings that public health interventions targeted at individuals or behaviors have limited effect on health and safety outcomes at a population scale. 6 For example, educational programs that promote behavioral change among very specific, targeted population groups may not impact broader societal issues such as the actual contexts within which unhealthy behaviors like tobacco use, lack of exercise, poor diet, distracted driving, and violence occur. 7-9 Moreover, programmatic impact is rarely sustained beyond the small study populations that are targeted. When funding ends, program impact thus also often ends unless, in very rare instances, the program itself somehow becomes institutionalized or part of a larger social norm.Place-based programs rest on increasing evidence that in addition to biological and individual attributes, everyday environments have a potentially strong and Kondo is with the USDA-Forest Service, Northern Research Station,

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Social contacts as a possible mechanism behind the relation between green space and health

Cited by 937 publications

References 34 publications

Social Determinants of Risk and Outcomes for Cardiovascular Disease

Social Determinants of Risk and Outcomes for Cardiovascular Disease

Effects of Urban Green Space on Environmental Health, Equity and Resilience

Nature-Based Strategies for Improving Urban Health and Safety

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