scholarly journals Neighbourhood built environments as correlates of hospital burden and premature mortality in Canada

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M Mah ◽  
Claudia Sanmartin ◽  
Mylène Riva ◽  
Kaberi Dasgupta ◽  
Nancy Ross
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Premature Mortality ◽  
Elevated Risk ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Built Environments ◽  
Diabetes Status ◽  
Population Based Algorithm

IntroductionThe built environment can shape modifiable risk factors such as obesity, poor diet, and physical inactivity, and could be a policy lever for the reduction of chronic disease. In Canada, the health care costs related to chronic disease continue to rise and there have been few policy options offered. Objectives and ApproachWe examine the role of the built environment in hospital burden and premature mortality, with an emphasis on one of the highest burden diseases, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Neighbourhood built environment measures for active living were derived using geographic information systems for respondents of the Canadian Community Health Survey, for whom we have linked hospitalization and mortality records. A combination of ICD codes, self-reported diabetes status, as well as a population-based algorithm identifying those at higher risk of developing diabetes were used to identify cases. Differences in hospitalization frequency, cumulative length of stay, and mortality are investigated. ResultsOver half a million hospitalization records were identified in our cohort of roughly 450,000 survey respondents. Key factors such as age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status are accounted for in modelling the association between neighborhood environment and hospitalization. Hospital burden and mortality in T2D patients are much higher than that of patients who do not report having the condition, and those at elevated risk of T2D display intermediate levels of hospitalization. Two-part hurdle models show evidence of an association between more walkable neighborhoods and lower hospitalization risk in non-T2D patients as well as those at elevated risk of developing T2D. The relationship between neighborhoods and the volume of chronic-disease related episodes as well as mortality is unclear, and under further investigation. Conclusion/ImplicationsElucidating the role of neighbourhood built environments on hospital burden and premature mortality for individuals with diabetes will provide insight as to the full range of clinical and non-clinical interventions that could feasibly address the needs of some the highest health care system users.

Enriching social work research through architectural multisensory methods: Strategies for connecting the built environment and human experience

2020 ◽  
pp. 147332502092445
Author(s):  
Alison L Grittner ◽  
Victoria F Burns
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Human Experience ◽  
Built Environments ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Spatial Justice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
The Relationship

Scholars have called for greater emphasis on the physical environment to expand social work research, policy, and practice; however, there has been little focus on the role of the built environment. Redressing this gap in the literature, this methodological paper explicates how four multisensory research methods commonly used in architecture—sketch walks, photography, spatial visualization, and mapping—can be used in social work research to create a greater understanding of the complex, interconnected, and multidimensional nature of built environments in relationship to human experience. The methods explored in this paper provide social work researchers with a methodological conduit to explore the relationship between the built environment and vulnerable populations, understand and advocate for spatial justice, and participate knowledgeably in interdisciplinary policy realms involving the built environment and marginalized populations.

scholarly journals Activity-Friendly Built Environments in a Super-Aged Society, Japan: Current Challenges and toward a Research Agenda

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 2054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Koohsari ◽  
Tomoki Nakaya ◽  
Koichiro Oka
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Built Environments ◽  
Healthy Life ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
International Context ◽  
Active Lifestyles ◽  
Aged Society

There is a growing recognition of the role of built environment attributes, such as streets, shops, greenways, parks, and public transportation stations, in supporting people’s active behaviors. In particular, surrounding built environments may have an important role in supporting healthy active aging. Nevertheless, little is known about how built environments may influence active lifestyles in “super-aged societies”. More robust evidence-based research is needed to identify how where people live influences their active behaviors, and how to build beneficial space in the context of super-aged societies. This evidence will also be informative for the broader international context, where having an aging society will be the inevitable future. This commentary sought to move this research agenda forward by identifying key research issues and challenges in examining the role of built environment attributes on active behaviors in Japan, which is experiencing the longest healthy life expectancy, but rapid “super-aging”, with the highest proportion of old adults among its population in the world.

scholarly journals Health and the Built Environment: Exploring Foundations for a New Interdisciplinary Profession

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Kent ◽  
Susan Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Policy Change ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Built Environments ◽  
Supportive Role ◽  
Practice Models ◽  
Ongoing Development

The supportive role of the built environment for human health is a growing area of interdisciplinary research, evidence-based policy development, and related practice. Nevertheless, despite closely linked origins, the contemporary professions of public health and urban planning largely operate within the neoliberal framework of academic, political, and policy silos. A reinvigorated relationship between the two is fundamental to building and sustaining an effective “healthy built environment profession.” A recent comprehensive review of the burgeoning literature on healthy built environments identified an emergent theme which we have termed “Professional Development.” This literature relates to the development of relationships between health and built environment professionals. It covers case studies illustrating good practice models for policy change, as well as ways professionals can work to translate research into policy. Intertwined with this empirical research is a dialogue on theoretical tensions emerging as health and built environment practitioners and researchers seek to establish mutual understanding and respect. The nature of evidence required to justify policy change, for example, has surfaced as an area of asynchrony between accepted disciplinary protocols. Our paper discusses this important body of research with a view to initiating and supporting the ongoing development of an interdisciplinary profession of healthy planning.

scholarly journals Built Environment, Physical Activity, and Obesity: Findings from the International Physical Activity and Environment Network (IPEN) Adult Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
James F. Sallis ◽  
Ester Cerin ◽  
Jacqueline Kerr ◽  
Marc A. Adams ◽  
Takemi Sugiyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Self Report ◽  
World Health ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Built Environments ◽  
Adult Study ◽  
Environment Variables

Creating more physical activity–supportive built environments is recommended by the World Health Organization for controlling noncommunicable diseases. The IPEN (International Physical Activity and Environment Network) Adult Study was undertaken to provide international evidence on associations of built environments with physical activity and weight status in 12 countries on 5 continents ( n > 14,000). This article presents reanalyzed data from eight primary papers to identify patterns of findings across studies. Neighborhood environment attributes, whether measured objectively or by self-report, were strongly related to all physical activity outcomes (accelerometer-assessed total physical activity, reported walking for transport and leisure) and meaningfully related to overweight/obesity. Multivariable indexes of built environment variables were more strongly related to most outcomes than were single-environment variables. Designing activity-supportive built environments should be a higher international health priority. Results provide evidence in support of global initiatives to increase physical activity and control noncommunicable diseases while achieving sustainable development goals.

Planning, Aging, and Loneliness: Reviewing Evidence About Built Environment Effects

2021 ◽  
pp. 088541222110351
Author(s):  
Yingying Lyu ◽  
Ann Forsyth
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Older People ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Built Environments ◽  
Environment Quality ◽  
Local Resources ◽  
Environment Effects ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Urban Contexts ◽  
Housing Options

Large numbers of people in many countries report being lonely with rates highest among the very old. Does the built environment affect loneliness among older people and if so, how? Using a scoping review, we examined associations between loneliness and built environments at the block, neighborhood, and city scales. The (1) neighborhood environment has received most attention. Research has also examined (2) urban contexts, (3) housing, and (4) transportation access. Findings are mixed with the stronger evidence that local resources, walkability, overall environment quality, housing options, and nearby transportation alternatives can help combat loneliness.

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