Environmental Exposure and Mental Health in Hong Kong: Protocol for a GPS- and Biosensor-Based Observational Study

Area of Science:

• Environmental health
• Biomedical engineering
• Urban planning

Background:

• Environmental factors such as green-blue space and walkability may impact mental health via physiological pathways.
• Traditional research methods face challenges in assessing dynamic environmental exposure effects on mental well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between minute-level environmental exposures and stress-related biomarkers.
• To utilize GPS-based measurements and wrist-worn biosensors for continuous data collection in an urban setting.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study recruiting 750 participants (aged 18-80) in Hong Kong.
• 1-week monitoring using biosensors (electrodermal activity, blood volume pulse, skin temperature) and GPS devices.
• Assessing environmental exposures (air pollution, urban density, green-blue space) and digital biomarkers.

Main Results:

• Pilot study (150 participants) showed high completion (94%) and device compliance (91-94%).
• Main study commenced July 2025, with 30 participants enrolled by September 2025.
• Data analysis is ongoing, with results expected in 2027-2028.

Conclusions:

• Innovative integration of continuous environmental monitoring and stress biomarkers offers new insights into environment-health relationships.
• Findings will inform public health strategies for mental well-being and urban planning interventions.