Article
Urban Studies
Irenius Konkor, Vincent Kuuire
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between time spent in/outside residential neighborhoods, length of stay in neighborhood, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) status, and whether this relationship differs by gender. The findings showed that men who spent some time outside their residential neighborhood in a typical week were about 2 times likely to be diagnosed with NCDs compared to those who spend the entire week in their residential neighborhoods. However, this relationship was not statistically significant for women. Longer stay in current neighborhood was associated with women's likelihood of being diagnosed with NCDs.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ailing Jin, Xiang Chen, Xiao Huang, Zhenlong Li, Caitlin E. Caspi, Ran Xu
Summary: The community food environment has the potential to affect dietary health outcomes, but previous studies have overlooked human mobility. This paper explores the selective daily mobility bias (SDMB) in GPS-based restaurant visit patterns in Connecticut. Results show that most restaurant customers come from outside the restaurant's census tract, and restaurants in socially vulnerable areas attract more customers overall. These findings confirm the importance of considering human mobility in studying the community food environment.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lai Wei, Joreintje D. Mackenbach, Maartje P. Poelman, Roel Vermeulen, Marco Helbich
Summary: Using 7-day smartphone-based GPS tracking data, this study compared the exposure to food outlets along actual and modelled commuting routes for 67 Dutch adults. Significant differences in food outlet exposure between the two types of routes were found. Unexpected associations between dietary intakes and food outlet exposures were observed in the adjusted regression analyses. The results suggest no evidence of a selective daily mobility bias in the association between the food environment along commuting routes and adults' snacks and soft drink consumption in this sample.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hansen Li, Yun Li, Zhenhuan Wang, Guodong Zhang
Summary: Physical activity plays a crucial role as a mediator in the relationship between greenspace and human health, with a particular emphasis on the importance of leisure physical activity for promoting mental well-being. The study found that both perceived greenspace and green physical activity were positively associated with mental well-being, while transportation-based green physical activity did not show significant associations. This reinforces the existing research on the connection between greenspace and health.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Grete E. Wilt, Charlotte J. Roscoe, Cindy R. Hu, Unnati V. Mehta, Brent A. Coull, Jaime E. Hart, Steven Gortmaker, Francine Laden, Peter James
Summary: This study examined the association between mobility-based greenness and physical activity using mobile health data. The results showed that higher levels of greenness were negatively associated with steps per minute.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yue Cao, Guangdong Li, Yaohui Huang
Summary: Urban green space has a crucial impact on the urban ecological environment, residents' health, and urban sustainability. Analyzing residential exposure to green space and developing targeted enhancement strategies is important for urban planning and reducing inequality in exposure. Additionally, assessing the evolution of residential exposure to green space and the influence of green space quality is essential.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Yanping Jiang, Yuyang Zhu, Fengyan Tang, Tammy Chung, Bei Wu
Summary: This study examines the effects of residential segregation, perceived neighborhood cohesion, and neighborhood disorder on all-cause mortality among older Chinese immigrants. The results show that perceived neighborhood cohesion is significantly associated with decreased mortality risks, while the association between residential segregation and mortality is no longer significant.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES B-PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Noli Brazil
Summary: Research has shown that neighborhoods have an impact on the health and well-being of their residents. This impact is particularly significant in low-income and minority neighborhoods, which tend to have more disadvantageous conditions. Additionally, the study finds disparities in air pollution exposure between different neighborhoods.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Kadirhan Polat
Summary: Digital topologists study the properties of two- or three-dimensional digital images that correspond to topological properties of objects. In this study, we focus on recognizing changes in a residential district, such as buildings constructed or demolished over time, using grayscale bird's-eye views. The main application area of digital topology in this study is geographic information systems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Boyeong Hong, Bartosz J. Bonczak, Arpit Gupta, Lorna E. Thorpe, Constantine E. Kontokosta
Summary: This study quantifies neighborhood activity behaviors in New York City and analyzes disparities in community social distancing. The research finds distinct behavioral patterns across neighborhoods after the stay-at-home order, with variations in exposure density having a direct and measurable impact on infection risk.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Boyeong Hong, Bartosz J. Bonczak, Arpit Gupta, Lorna E. Thorpe, Constantine E. Kontokosta
Summary: This study quantified neighborhood activity behaviors and found that variations in exposure density have a direct and measurable impact on infection risk. The research revealed distinct behavioral patterns across neighborhoods in New York City after the implementation of stay-at-home orders, with a 10% reduction in exposure density potentially saving lives, particularly in lower-income and minority communities.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yanhui Mao, Xinyi Luo, Shuangyang Guo, Mei Xie, Jing Zhou, Rui Huang, Zhen Zhang
Summary: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the reliability and factorial structure of an abbreviated version of an instrument that measures perceived residential environment quality and neighborhood attachment in Chinese urban environments. The study found that the abbreviated instrument had acceptable reliability and validity, providing a more reliable and manageable tool for decision-making in urban planning and architectural design.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Qiong He, Willem Boterman, Sako Musterd, Ying Wang
Summary: This study examines the impact of perceived social distance on residential mobility plans and finds that individuals are more likely to plan a move when they perceive a mismatch between their household income and that of the majority of the neighbourhood. This effect is stronger for those perceiving a higher relative position and those with a higher socioeconomic status, while those perceiving a lower relative position and those with a lower socioeconomic status are less likely to plan a move.
HABITAT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hai-Bo Hu, Zhi-Hui Hou, Cong-Hong Huang, Michael J. LaMonte, Meng Wang, Bin Lu
Summary: Residential green space and neighborhood walkability are associated with coronary atherosclerosis in different ways. The combined effect of green space area and walkability index has a smaller impact, while mediation analysis suggests that increased physical exercise and ameliorated particulate matter exposure may be partial reasons for the association.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Wonjin Jeong, Hyojung Kang, Seunguk Shin, Ajanta Patel, Nikhil Prachand, Meha Singh, William Stewart
Summary: Neighborhood greenness has a significant impact on psychological well-being in urban areas, but the influence of greenness may vary in racially and ethnically segregated cities. This study found that greenness and park use frequency were associated with psychological well-being in Chicago's North region, while neighborhood safety was the strongest predictor of well-being in all three regions. Comprehensive assessment, combined with geographic differences, can provide a better understanding of the complex interplay between greenness and residents' well-being.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Daniel Fuller, Scott Bell, Caislin L. Firth, Nazeem Muhajarine, Trisalyn Nelson, Kevin Stanley, Meridith Sones, Jefferson Smith, Benoit Thierry, Karen Laberee, Zoe Poirier Stephens, Kole Phillips, Yan Kestens, Meghan Winters
Summary: This paper presents the initial findings of the INTERACT cohort studies conducted in Victoria, Vancouver, Saskatoon, and Montreal, Canada. These studies investigate the potential of built environment interventions to improve population health and reduce health inequities. The researchers compare the cohorts to Canadian census data, analyze outcomes of interest such as physical activity, well-being, and social connectedness, and assess proximity to built environment interventions using various data sources.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sylvain Klein, Ruben Brondeel, Basile Chaix, Olivier Klein, Benoit Thierry, Yan Kestens, Philippe Gerber, Camille Perchoux
Summary: Interest in the neighborhood effects on health beyond individual's home locations is growing, but few studies have taken into account the selective daily mobility bias. This study measured the selective mobility of 470 older adults living in urban and suburban areas of Luxembourg, and found that detour percentage was higher for walking trips than car trips. The results indicate a potential selective daily mobility bias and suggest that urban planning interventions favoring active transportation can promote walking trips with longer detours, helping older adults increase their physical activity levels and promote healthy aging.
Review
Transportation
Lea Ravensbergen, Rania Wasfi, Mathilde Van Liefferinge, Isidor Ehrlich, Stephanie A. Prince, Gregory Butler, Yan Kestens, Ahmed El-Geneidy
Summary: This study provides a systematic review on the associations between Light Rail Transit (LRT) and physical activity. The findings indicate a moderate certainty of evidence for the relationship between LRT and walking behaviour, with LRT leading to an increase in walking in most studies. The study also identifies a positive relationship between LRT and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and cycling, although the evidence for MVPA and cycling is not as strong.
Article
Geography
J. Karmann, M. Najjar, C. A. Ottoni, M. Shareck, S. Lord, M. Winters, D. Fuller, Y. Kestens
Summary: Cities are constantly changing, and people's emotional responses to these changes play a crucial role in shaping their future relation with urban space. However, studies on urban change often overlook the significance of emotional responses. To address this gap, we conducted a qualitative study using interviews and content analysis with residents in Montreal, Canada, and its suburbs. We found that changes in the urban environment led to both positive and negative emotions, and condominiums emerged as a significant theme triggering various emotional responses such as disappointment, fear, irritation, pessimism, and enthusiasm. These emotional responses were influenced by the impact of condominiums on daily mobility, residential stability, and place attachment.
EMOTION SPACE AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Julie Latomme, Philip J. Morgan, Sebastien Chastin, Ruben Brondeel, Greet Cardon
Summary: The study investigates the effect of an intervention called 'Run Daddy Run' on physical activity of fathers and their children. It found that engaging fathers and children in physical activity together can improve their overall physical activity levels and reduce sedentary behavior. However, it also finds that the intervention has a negative effect on moderate and vigorous physical activity levels of children.
Article
Oncology
Charlotte Salmon, Amelie Quesnel-Vallee, Tracie A. Barnett, Andrea Benedetti, Marie-Soleil Cloutier, Geetanjali D. Datta, Yan Kestens, Belinda Nicolau, Marie-Elise Parent
Summary: A study found that men living in socially deprived neighborhoods have an increased risk of prostate cancer, with higher risks for those who are divorced, widowed, or living alone. These findings suggest the need for targeted public health interventions.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Toon Braeye, Lucy Catteau, Ruben Brondeel, Joris A. F. van Loenhout, Kristiaan Proesmans, Laura Cornelissen, Herman Van Oyen, Veerle Stouten, Pierre Hubin, Matthieu Billuart, Achille Djiena, Romain Mahieu, Naima Hammami, Dieter Van Cauteren, Chloe Wyndham-Thomas
Summary: This study estimated the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against transmission, and found that the initial effectiveness of one dose of BNT162b2 vaccine was 96% against the Alpha variant, 87% against the Delta variant, and 31% against the Omicron variant. After booster vaccination, the effectiveness against the Delta and Omicron variants decreased to 71% and 55% respectively. Hybrid immunity, combining vaccination and documented prior infection, was associated with reduced transmission risk.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
S. Pasanen, J. I. Halonen, K. Suorsa, T. Leskinen, Y. Kestens, B. Thierry, J. Pentti, J. Vahtera, S. Stenholm
Summary: We investigated how work-related and commuting physical activity, measured by GPS and accelerometer, influenced changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior during retirement transition. Lower work-related activity was linked to a decrease in sedentary time and an increase in light physical activity during retirement. Conversely, higher work-related activity was associated with an increase in sedentary time and a decrease in light physical activity, except for active workers who also engaged in commuting activity. Therefore, both work-related and commuting physical activity predicted changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior upon retirement.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Grace Commers, Rodrigo Victoriano-Habit, Lancelot Rodrigue, Yan Kestens, Ahmed El-Geneidy
Summary: COVID-19 has impacted commuters' travel patterns and BMI. This study examines the relationship between commute mode and BMI among employed individuals in Montreal during the pandemic. The findings show that for women, BMI increased significantly during the pandemic, but telecommuting, especially as a replacement for driving, led to a statistically significant decrease in BMI. For men, higher residential local accessibility was associated with decreased BMI, while telecommuting did not have a significant effect on BMI.
JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT & HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Amy J. Youngbloom, Benoit Thierry, Daniel Fuller, Yan Kestens, Meghan Winters, Jana A. Hirsch, Yvonne L. Michael, Caislin Firth
Summary: Research suggests that surveys provide a better understanding of how residents perceive neighborhood change and its impact on mental health, compared to census-defined measures of gentrification. Individual perceptions of neighborhood change may determine the effects of gentrification on mental health. Findings from a survey in Montre & PRIME;al indicate that greater perceived affordability and positive feelings about neighborhood changes are associated with better mental health. However, census-defined gentrification is not significantly associated with mental health.
SSM-POPULATION HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
C. Perchoux, R. Brondeel, S. Klein, O. Klein, B. Thierry, Y. Kestens, B. Chaix, P. Gerber
Summary: The influence of built environments on sedentary behaviors remains uncertain and has several limitations, such as the use of self-reported proxies, limited consideration of diverse sedentary behaviors, and restricted environmental exposures. This study investigated the relationships between GPS-based activity space measures and accelerometer-based sedentary time.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marina Christofoletti, Paul Collings, Marion Tharrey, Camille Perchoux, Laurent Malisoux
Summary: This study investigates the changes in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior among adult residents in Luxembourg over a 10-year period, and explores variations across sociodemographic subgroups. The study finds an increase in highly active participants, total PA, and a decrease in total sitting time, while recreational television viewing and personal computer use outside of work has increased. Variations in change were observed by factors such as sex, country of birth, education, employment status, and perceived financial difficulty. Targeted efforts to increase PA and reduce sedentary behavior will benefit specific population subgroups.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Iris Maes, Lieze Mertens, Louise Poppe, Tomas Vetrovsky, Geert Crombez, Femke De Backere, Ruben Brondeel, Delfien Van Dyck
Summary: This study examined within-person associations between multiple determinants of the capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior framework and physical activity (PA). The results showed that factors such as irritation, feeling down, intention, and self-efficacy were positively associated with subsequent PA, while relaxation, satisfaction, and fatigue were negatively associated.
