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DOI: | 10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61689-X |
Web URL(s): | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014067360861689X Last checked: 12/09/2015 |
Publication Type:
| Refereed |
Author(s): | Mitchell, Richard;
Popham, Frank |
Author Affiliation: | Mitchell: Ph.D. and Public Health and Health Policy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow; Popham: School of Geography and Geosciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK |
Title: | Effect of exposure to natural environment on health inequalities: An observational population study |
Source: | The Lancet. Vol. 372, No. 9650, November 8 2008, p. 1655-1660. |
Publishing Information: | [London ; New York] : Elsevier Science |
# of Pages: | 6 |
Related Web URL: | http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(08)61689-X/abstract Last checked: 12/09/2015 Notes: Abstract only http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/4767/1/4767.pdf Last checked: 12/09/2015 Requires: PDF Reader Notes: Pre-copy-edited version |
Keywords: | TIC Keywords: Health; Natural environment; Environmental factors; Turf values; Health benefits; Greenspace; Environmental effects; Economic impacts
|
Abstract/Contents: | "Background: Studies have shown that exposure to the natural environment, or so-called green space, has an independent effect on health and health-related behaviours. We postulated that income-related inequality in health would be less pronounced in populations with greater exposure to green space, since access to such areas can modify pathways through which low socioeconomic position can lead to disease. Methods: We classified the population of England at younger than retirement age (n=40 813 236) into groups on the basis of income deprivation and exposure to green space. We obtained individual mortality records (n=366 348) to establish whether the association between income deprivation, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality (circulatory disease, lung cancer, and intentional self-harm) in 2001-05, varied by exposure to green space measured in 2001, with control for potential confounding factors. We used stratified models to identify the nature of this variation. Findings: The association between income deprivation and mortality differed significantly across the groups of exposure to green space for mortality from all causes (p<0路0001) and circulatory disease (p=0路0212), but not from lung cancer or intentional self-harm. Health inequalities related to income deprivation in all-cause mortality and mortality from circulatory diseases were lower in populations living in the greenest areas. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for all-cause mortality for the most income deprived quartile compared with the least deprived was 1路93 (95% CI 1路86-2路01) in the least green areas, whereas it was 1路43 (1路34-1路53) in the most green. For circulatory diseases, the IRR was 2路19 (2路04-2路34) in the least green areas and 1路54 (1路38-1路73) in the most green. There was no effect for causes of death unlikely to be affected by green space, such as lung cancer and intentional self-harm. Interpretation: Populations that are exposed to the greenest environments also have lowest levels of health inequality related to income deprivation. Physical environments that promote good health might be important to reduce socioeconomic health inequalities. Funding: None." |
Language: | English |
References: | 46 |
See Also: | See also related article "Green space, psychological restoration, and health inequality" The Lancet, 372(9650) November 8, 2008, p. 1614-1615, R=144940. R=144940
See also related article "More reasons to think green space may be equigenic - A new study of 34 European nations" CRESH, April 21, 2015, p. [1-3], R=265574. R=265574 |
See Also: | Other items relating to: What Good is Turf? |
Note: | Tables Graphs |
| ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete): Mitchell, R., and F. Popham. 2008. Effect of exposure to natural environment on health inequalities: An observational population study. The Lancet. 372(9650):p. 1655-1660. |
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| DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61689-X |
| Web URL(s): http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014067360861689X Last checked: 12/09/2015 |
| MSU catalog number: b2218496 MSU catalog number: b4890360 MSU catalog number: b4890361 |
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