The Green Heart Project: Study Design and Baseline Observations
Year: 2020
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Background/Aim: Although several studies report an association between residential proximity to greenness and health, direct effects of increasing greenness have not been studied. We designed The Green Heart Project to test the hypothesis that increasing area greenness diminishes cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by decreasing exposure to air pollution.Methods: The Green Heart Project is designed as a pragmatic clinical trial to assess the impact of greening intervention on CVD risk in a community. Baseline data on CVD risk were acquired by an in-person exam to measure arterial stiffness, blood pressure, circulating lipids and biomarkers of thrombosis and endothelial function. Mental stress, anxiety, depression, social cohesion, and health behaviors were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Both stationary and mobile monitoring is to be used to develop high resolution maps of air pollution in the area. Individual-level exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will be assessed by measuring their urinary metabolites. Baseline data were acquired and 8 target clusters will receive 8,000 mature trees and shrubs. The surrounding 8 control clusters receive no greenery. Two years after planting, air pollutants, VOC metabolites, cardiovascular and psychosocial parameters will be remeasured.Results: The 4 square mile study area is home to 36,000 residents. The mean age of 735 participants recruited was 51 years, with a median income of $33,000. Nearly 77% of participants were White, 52% were women. The mean NDVI within 300 m of the residence of study participants was 0.33. Participants with lower residential NDVI were more likely to be younger, Black, with lower income, and living closer to major roadways.Conclusions: Baseline evaluation of participants of the Green Heart Study uncovers significant association between residential greenness and socioeconomic status. Assessments after intervention will evaluate to reveal whether CVD risk and air pollution levels are altered by increasing area greenness.
Source: ISEE Conference Abstracts
Authors: R. Yeager, R.J. Keith, D.W. Riggs, J.L. Hart, K.L. Walker, B. Bucknum, S.N. Rai, J. Turner, A. Bhatnagar
Institutions: University of Louisville, Washington University in St. Louis
Language: English
Topic: Urban Green Space and Health
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3171399452