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Associations between Urban Sprawl and Life Expectancy in the United States
Shima Hamidi1, Reid Ewing2, Zaria Tatalovich3
1College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA. shima.hamidi@uta.edu.
Summary
Urban sprawl is linked to lower life expectancy in US counties. Compact urban environments show higher life expectancy, suggesting urban planning impacts public health and mortality rates.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Urban Planning
- Environmental Science
Background:
- The United States exhibits lower life expectancy compared to other developed nations.
- Urban sprawl is a potential contributing factor to high mortality rates in the US.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cross-sectional associations between urban sprawl and life expectancy in US metropolitan counties in 2010.
- To model life expectancy using a structural equation model with mediators of sprawl and socioeconomic status.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 2010 dataset of county-level life expectancies.
- Employed a structural equation model to assess the relationship between urban sprawl and life expectancy.
- Included mediators such as vehicle miles traveled (VMT), body mass index, crime rate, air quality index, and percentage of smokers.
Main Results:
- Life expectancy was significantly higher in compact counties compared to sprawling counties, even after controlling for sociodemographic factors.
- Urban sprawl demonstrated both direct and indirect associations with life expectancy.
- Indirect effects were mediated by factors including vehicle miles traveled (contributing to traffic fatalities) and body mass index (linked to chronic diseases).
Conclusions:
- Findings support the hypothesis that urban planning and design influence population health outcomes.
- Compact urban environments may promote healthier behaviors and reduce mortality.
- Further research and implementation of health-conscious urban planning strategies are recommended to improve public health and longevity.
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