Association between greenness, urbanicity, and birth weight
Keita Ebisu1, Theodore R Holford2, Michelle L Bell1
1Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
The Science of the Total Environment
|November 8, 2015
Summary
Increased green space near residences is linked to higher birth weights and reduced risk of low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA) babies. Greening urban environments may improve birth outcomes for growing city populations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Urban Planning
- Reproductive Epidemiology
Background:
- Over half the global population resides in urban areas, potentially increasing exposure to environmental risks like air pollution.
- Urban living may elevate risks for adverse health outcomes, while green spaces offer potential health benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between urban land use, green space availability, and birth weight.
- To assess the impact of urbanicity and greenness on birth outcomes, including low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA).
Main Methods:
- Utilized Connecticut birth certificate data (2000-2006) and National Land Cover Database land-use data.
- Estimated greenness and urbanicity within 250m of residences for 239,811 births.
- Employed linear mixed effects models for birth weight and logistic mixed effects models for LBW and SGA.
Main Results:
- Each interquartile range (IQR) increase in surrounding green space correlated with a 3.2g higher birth weight.
- An IQR increase in green space was associated with a 7.6% decrease in the risk of LBW.
- Higher exposure to urban space showed a negative association with birth outcomes, inversely correlated with green space.
Conclusions:
- Green space demonstrated a protective effect on birth outcomes, including birth weight, LBW, and SGA.
- Increasing urban green space and reducing urban areas can mitigate risks of adverse birth outcomes.
- Integrating green space into urban planning is crucial for public health, especially with projected urban population growth.
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