Greenness or vegetative presence may
be effective in promoting health in older populations, particularly in poor
neighborhoods, possibly due to increased time outdoors, physical activity, or
stress mitigation, say researchers.
Credit: © zhu difeng / Fotolia
A
new study of a quarter-million Miami-Dade County Medicare beneficiaries showed
that higher levels of neighborhood greenness, including trees, grass and other
vegetation, were linked to a significant reduction in the rate of chronic
illnesses, particularly in low-to-middle income neighborhoods. Led by
researchers at the University of Miami Department of Public Health Sciences at
the Miller School of Medicine, and the School of Architecture, the study showed
that higher greenness was linked to significantly lower rates of diabetes,
hypertension and high cholesterol, as well as fewer chronic health conditions.
