International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Research

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26 pages, 1632 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Greenspace, Climate Adaptation and Health Co-Benefits: Municipal Policy and Practice in London

by Catalina Turcu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(3), 409; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030409 - 11 Mar 2025

Viewed by 715

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to human health and wellbeing, yet its health impacts can be mitigated through effective local action. Green spaces offer numerous climate benefits to cities, including improving air quality, water management and providing local cooling effects, with subsequent [...] Read more.

Climate change poses a significant threat to human health and wellbeing, yet its health impacts can be mitigated through effective local action. Green spaces offer numerous climate benefits to cities, including improving air quality, water management and providing local cooling effects, with subsequent health benefits. Despite such benefits, the current municipal policy and practice faces challenges in aligning climate, health and greenspace interventions on the ground. This paper looks at the municipal evidence base in London. Employing a policy-engaged approach, it draws on semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with London boroughs to unpack what greenspace indicators are measured and why; what feeds into municipal evaluation frameworks; and how greenspace, climate adaptation and health are integrated across London’s municipalities. The findings reveal limited and fragmented approaches to measuring the multiple benefits of greenspace interventions, with weak links to climate and health outcomes, and little policy alignment at the municipal level. This has broader implications for data-driven governance models pursued by cities worldwide and for integrating greenspace–climate–health policy and practice within the spatial and political context of cities. The paper concludes by summarising research findings, presenting policy recommendations and highlighting areas of future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Sustainable and Healthy Cities)

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16 pages, 18936 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Greenness Effects of Urban Forests to Reduce PM₁₀ Concentration: Does the Impact Benefit the Population Vulnerable to Asthma?

by Jinsuk Jeong, Chaewan Kim, Sumin Choi, Hong-Duck Sou and Chan-Ryul Park

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(2), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020167 - 26 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 839

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of urban forests in reducing particulate matter (PM) concentrations and its subsequent impact on the number of asthma care visits. Understanding the mechanisms behind the relationship between the greenness of blocking forests and the reduction in PM is [...] Read more.

This study investigates the effect of urban forests in reducing particulate matter (PM) concentrations and its subsequent impact on the number of asthma care visits. Understanding the mechanisms behind the relationship between the greenness of blocking forests and the reduction in PM is crucial for assessing the associated human health benefits. This study analyzed the influencing factors for reducing long-term PM₁₀ concentrations, utilizing the vegetation index and meteorological variables. Results showed that the reduction in PM₁₀ began in 2011, five years after the establishment of the blocking forest. The annual mean PM₁₀ concentrations decreased significantly, driven primarily by summer wind speed and summer Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), explaining approximately 62% of the variation. A decrease in the number of asthma care visits was observed, similar to the trend of PM₁₀ reduction in the residential area and the increase in the greenness of the blocking forest. The influx of PM into the city, primarily driven by prevailing northwesterly winds, may have been mitigated by the growing blocking forest, contributing to a reduction in asthma-related medical visits among urban residents. In particular, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the increase in the PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio in residential areas has become more closely linked to the increase in asthma-related medical visits. It suggests another PM_2.5 emission source in the residential area. The number of asthma care visits among children (under 11) and the elderly (over 65) exhibited a strong positive correlation with PM₁₀ levels and a negative correlation with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). This suggests a link between air quality improvement from the greenness of blocking forests with their capacity to capture PM and respiratory health outcomes, especially for the vulnerable groups to asthma. These findings highlight the need to manage pollutant sources such as transportation and the heating system in residential areas beyond industrial emissions as the point pollution source. The management policies have to focus on protecting vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly, by implementing small-sized urban forests to adsorb the PM_2.5 within the city and establishing blocking forests to prevent PM₁₀ near the industrial complex. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Sustainable and Healthy Cities)

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22 pages, 7750 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change and Health: A Study of the Attitudes of Future Science Teachers

by María Rocío Pérez-Mesa, Yair Alexander Porras-Contreras and Rosa Nidia Tuay-Sigua

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010007 - 24 Dec 2024

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Abstract

Living beings as open systems depend on climate and weather to survive. However, changes in the Earth’s climatology, which have become more frequent since the industrial period, have affected different territories of the planet, limiting access to ecosystem services and causing imbalances in [...] Read more.

Living beings as open systems depend on climate and weather to survive. However, changes in the Earth’s climatology, which have become more frequent since the industrial period, have affected different territories of the planet, limiting access to ecosystem services and causing imbalances in health and well-being. The first purpose of this study is to conduct a literature review on academic production regarding climate change and its impact on health, in the context of education, using international academic production condensed in the Web of Science (WOS) database over the last 10 years as a reference. The second purpose focuses on identifying the environmental attitudes of science teachers in initial training regarding aspects related to climate change. The study results show three categories emerging from the literature review: Climate Change and Health, Nature and Risks, and Environment and Energy. For the analysis of environmental attitudes, a survey was conducted with 51 pre-service teachers, consisting of 59 items distributed in five categories: (a) environment, (b) climate change, (c) health, (d) education, and (e) lifestyle. Although the results reveal a positive attitude towards all analyzed categories, it is important to advance effective mitigation and adaptation strategies from the teacher training processes themselves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Sustainable and Healthy Cities)

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16 pages, 9538 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Air Quality Geospatial Analysis in Vulnerable Areas. Case Study of Valencia (Spain)

by Nuria Guardiola Ibáñez, Eloina Coll Aliaga, Maria Joaquina Porres De La Haza, Victoria Lerma Arce and Edgar Lorenzo-Sáez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(10), 1278; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21101278 - 25 Sep 2024

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Abstract

The escalating concern over poor air quality, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), poses a critical public health challenge, especially for vulnerable populations, such as children, older adults, and those with chronic diseases. This study aimed to analyze air quality in areas with [...] Read more.

The escalating concern over poor air quality, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), poses a critical public health challenge, especially for vulnerable populations, such as children, older adults, and those with chronic diseases. This study aimed to analyze air quality in areas with vulnerable populations through a geospatial analysis of NO₂ concentration measured by the passive dosimetry method in 2022. The results reveal high vulnerability caused by areas with over-centralized facilities and high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, often coinciding with busy avenues. The study emphasizes the urgent need to address air quality disparities, providing crucial insights for public decision-makers to allocate resources effectively and reduce environmental inequalities in the city, ultimately safeguarding the health of at-risk communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Sustainable and Healthy Cities)

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13 pages, 354 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is Having Urban Green Space in the Neighborhood Enough to Make a Difference? Insights for Healthier City Design

by Adriano Bressane, Maria Eduarda Guedes Ferreira, Ana Júlia da Silva Garcia and Líliam César de Castro Medeiros

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(7), 937; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070937 - 18 Jul 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2250

Abstract

Background: Prior research indicates that engagement with nature is associated with mental well-being; however, the impact of accessibility to urban green spaces (UGS) with suitable infrastructure for visitation and physical activities, like leisure or recreation, remains underexplored, particularly in developing countries. Purpose [...] Read more.

Background: Prior research indicates that engagement with nature is associated with mental well-being; however, the impact of accessibility to urban green spaces (UGS) with suitable infrastructure for visitation and physical activities, like leisure or recreation, remains underexplored, particularly in developing countries. Purpose: This study delves into whether merely having green space in the neighborhood is sufficient to impact residents’ mental health in Brazilian metropolitan regions. Method: Utilizing a cross-sectional survey, data were collected from 2136 participants. The analyzed variables included the intensity, duration, and frequency of nature engagement, suitability of UGS for visitation and physical activities, and mental well-being indicators measured by the DASS-21 scale. Multivariate statistical analyses and multiple regression models were employed to verify hypothetical relationships. Results and conclusions: Higher intensity, duration, and frequency of nature engagement in UGS were significantly associated with lower depression, anxiety, and stress scores. Notably, having urban UGS in the neighborhood alone was not enough to reduce mental health issues. Practical implications: The findings point out the need for urban planning policies that prioritize the development of high-quality, accessible green spaces to maximize mental well-being benefits. These insights could inform city designs that foster healthier urban environments. Future directions: Longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality between nature engagement and mental health improvements. Further research should incorporate objective measures of nature engagement and explore more aspects of green space quality, such as biodiversity and amenities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Sustainable and Healthy Cities)

Review

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27 pages, 1859 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Climate Change on Health and Health Systems: A Systematic Review of Preparedness, Resilience, and Challenges

by Vasileios Gkouliaveras, Stavros Kalogiannidis, Dimitrios Kalfas and Stamatis Kontsas

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(2), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020232 - 6 Feb 2025

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Abstract

Climate change has a significant impact on the population’s health and negatively affects the functioning of healthcare systems. Health systems must be operationally prepared to handle the challenges posed by environmental change. Resilience is required to adapt quickly to critical environmental conditions and [...] Read more.

Climate change has a significant impact on the population’s health and negatively affects the functioning of healthcare systems. Health systems must be operationally prepared to handle the challenges posed by environmental change. Resilience is required to adapt quickly to critical environmental conditions and reduce carbon emissions. In this systematic review strategies, for health system preparedness and resilience are examined to address the impacts of climate change, and the barriers and challenges faced when implementing them. To identify studies, the Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched three times (from April to October 2024, 21 April, 15 June, and 9 September) for the years 2018 to 2024, using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. Specifically, the search identified 471 articles, of which the specified inclusion and exclusion criteria (secondary studies with inclusion criteria, being in English, etc.) were met by sixteen (16) studies. According to the findings of the studies reviewed, adaptation strategies focus on structural changes, the development of training programs, the development of surveillance systems, and appropriate operational plans. The leader’s ability to motivate employees to achieve defined goals, continuous evaluation of goals and interventions, and learning from previous disasters play an important role in their implementation. Similarly, key policies and strategies for mitigation include the adoption of sustainable practices, such as recycling and cultural change. However, lack of resources (human, material, financial) and increased demand for health services make it difficult to implement adaptation and mitigation strategies. The findings of the review are mainly theoretical in nature and are confirmed by other studies. It is suggested that further research on resilience and preparedness of health systems should be pursued, leading to their sustainability and the formulation of appropriate policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Sustainable and Healthy Cities)

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19 pages, 1186 KiB

Open AccessReview

Positioning the Sense of Coherence (SOC) in Disaster Recovery Planning and Design

by Cornelius Ayodele Ojo and Traci Rose Rider

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(2), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020161 - 25 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1301

Abstract

“Whence the strength?” This compelling question, posed by Aaron Antonovsky in 1979, sets the stage for understanding the role of sense of coherence (SOC), a human-focused psychosocial concept, in fostering resilience amidst escalating climate-induced disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. This paper [...] Read more.

“Whence the strength?” This compelling question, posed by Aaron Antonovsky in 1979, sets the stage for understanding the role of sense of coherence (SOC), a human-focused psychosocial concept, in fostering resilience amidst escalating climate-induced disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. This paper is the first step in a larger research agenda aimed at exploring how the human experience of disasters, guided by Antonovsky’s SOC framework, can be better integrated into disaster recovery planning and design, laying the theoretical foundation for subsequent studies. This paper examines which supports help people stay resilient during disasters, focusing on the role of SOC in recovery. By integrating Antonovsky’s SOC concept with Hobfoll’s Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, it also draws from other published works on stress and disaster recovery to explore how disaster recovery planning and design can be improved. The findings indicate that the post-disaster recovery phase presents a critical window for implementing policies that address vulnerabilities in disaster-prone communities and enhance long-term resilience. Methodologically, this paper advocates for an interdisciplinary approach, suggesting that both quantitative and qualitative insights are vital for capturing human experiences in disaster contexts. Ultimately, this paper presents a framework for integrating human dimensions of resilience into disaster recovery planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Sustainable and Healthy Cities)

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20 pages, 21512 KiB

Open AccessReview

Green Villages, the Pandemic, and the Future of California Urbanism

by René Davids

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(12), 1591; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121591 - 29 Nov 2024

Viewed by 835

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of housing in controlling the spread of the virus was limited, as policies primarily focused on short-term measures such as lockdowns and social distancing. As the pandemic recedes, a shift has occurred towards restructuring the environment to [...] Read more.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of housing in controlling the spread of the virus was limited, as policies primarily focused on short-term measures such as lockdowns and social distancing. As the pandemic recedes, a shift has occurred towards restructuring the environment to confront future health crises better. This research thoroughly evaluates existing literature and housing complexes. It recommends that future projects prioritize several key features: ample exposure to natural environments, opportunities for growing food, encouragement of casual social interactions, inclusion of communal spaces, and provision of areas for exercise to help reduce the risks of contagion and alleviate the mental health impacts on residents. Based on research conducted during and after the pandemic, current recommendations for housing often provide generalized suggestions or propose ideal layouts through diagrams. This approach can be unrealistic from both spatial and economic perspectives and fails to inspire or stimulate creativity. This paper, by contrast, reviews and analyzes historical housing projects while critically examining three case studies that have the potential to inspire future designs. The goal is to provide officials, architects, and stakeholders with a series of practical possibilities and guidelines that contribute to the post-COVID home design process by making it more health-conscious and fostering the creation of new types of neighborhoods that can significantly impact the planning of cities in California. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Sustainable and Healthy Cities)

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