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Cited by 542Urban Green Space and HealthEnvironmental Justice and Health DisparitiesHealth disparities and outcomes

A Review of Epidemiologic Studies on Greenness and Health: Updated Literature Through 2017

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Fong, Kelvin C., Hart, Jaime E., James, Peter·2018·Current Environmental Health Reports
DOI 10.1007/s40572-018-0179-yPMC PMC5878143
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Abstract

Purpose of review Many studies suggest that exposure to natural vegetation, or greenness, may be beneficial for a variety of health outcomes. We summarize the recent research in this area. Recent findings We observed consistent and strong evidence of associations for higher greenness with improvements in birth weights and physical activity, as well as lower mortality rates. Recent studies also suggested that exposure to greenness may lower levels of depression and depressive symptoms. The evidence on greenness and cardiovascular health remains mixed. Findings are also inconsistent for greenness measures and asthma and allergies. Our knowledge of the impacts of greenness on a wide variety of health outcomes continues to evolve. Future research should incorporate information on specific species and some qualities of natural greenness that might drive health outcomes, integrate exposure assessments that incorporate personal mobility into analyses, and include prospective designs to add to the growing evidence that nature exposure positively affects health.

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Authors
Fong, K. C., Hart, J. E., & James, P.
Affiliations
  • Harvard University (US)
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
Fong, Kelvin C.
ORCID
Venue
Current Environmental Health Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2018-02-01
Volume
5
Issue
1
Pages
77-87
ISSN
2196-5412 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1007/s40572-018-0179-y
PMC
PMC5878143
OpenAlex
W2792098998
Cited by
542
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 33 · 2025: 53 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 62 · 2022: 88 · 2021: 112 · 2020: 68 · 2019: 48 · 2018: 19
FWCI
6.47
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Current Environmental Health Reports (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Cancer Institute (R00CA201542)
  • National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (P50MD010428)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Urban Green Space and Health
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Environmental Justice and Health Disparities
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
Keywords
vegetation greenness, nature exposure, natural vegetation, birth weight, physical activity, mortality, depression, depressive symptoms, cardiovascular health, asthma, allergy, environmental exposure assessment, personal mobility
MeSH terms
Asthma, Cardiovascular Diseases, Environment, Female, Health, Health Status, Humans, Hypersensitivity, Mental Health, Mortality, Plants, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome, Risk Factors, Exercise

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