Work

Structure of urban green space and its associations with heat and air pollution related deaths

Year: 2019

Type: conference-abstract

Abstract: S09: Assessing health co-benefits of climate change mitigation in the Asia-Pacific region, Room 417, Floor 4, August 26, 2019, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Background/Aim: Today, 54 % of the world’s population lives in urban areas, and the proportion is expected to increase to 66 % by 2050. Rapid urbanization and population growth are one of the biggest environmental health problems. A number of studies has provided evidences that green area has a beneficial effect on human health. Recently, these results have been published that summarize the pathways by reducing risks, such as exposure to air pollution and heat, and restoring capacities. Stress reduction and attention restoration theories can be associated with the beneficial effects of green area. By investigating the positive impacts of green spaces, we expect to provide clues to solve the environmental problems caused by urbanization. Methods: In this research, we calculated greenness index from normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) images of MOD13Q1 products, the satellite image from 2004 to 2013. We explored the definitions of high vitality green space by comparing the changes of descriptive statistics according to cut-off points. In order to examine the effect of green space structure and health, the green space structure is divided into the composition and the configuration. We used a time-stratified case-crossover method for the data analysis. Results: We found that hyperthermia mortality increased by 2.92 times at the low level compared with high level of the patch density index on the extreme high temperature days. This association of the patch density per unit greenness area was increased 2.88 times. At heat waves days, the hyperthermia mortality increased 3.24 times and 3.31 times at the low levels on the patch density and patch density per unit greenness area, respectively. Conclusions: We found the reduced thyperthermia mortality risks in the greener spaces. It might have a beneficial impact on health as proper use of the greenness structure at the urban area.

Source: Environmental Epidemiology

DOI: 10.1097/01.ee9.0000608092.22237.a0

Authors: Kim H, Kim E, Mo Y, Heo K, Lee D

Institution: Seoul National University

Language: English

Topic: Urban Green Space and Health

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Good health and well-being, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,200