Greenspace and Infant Mortality in Philadelphia

May 30, 2019

The world is urbanizing at a record high pace, and there is interest in exploring the role of our environments and how they promote health. Mounting evidence supports a link between greenspace (trees, parks, shrubs, grass) and improved health. Research suggests that greenspace may prevent mortality by improving mental or cardiovascular health. Exploring the links between greenspace and infant mortality, defined as any death in children under the age of one, is important because infant mortality is an indicator of the overall population health.

Research led by Leah Schinasi, PhD, assistant research professor at the Urban Health Collaborative, at the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel, the team identified links between greenspace and infant mortality in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has higher rates of infant mortality compared to the rest of the nation. Although the infant mortality rate has declined in recent years, racial disparities in infant mortality are vast and have increased. Infants represent a vulnerable subpopulation. Therefore, it is critical that we elucidate population level interventions, such as greenspace, that might promote their health. Results from our Philadelphia based study suggest that greenspace in urban areas is one such health promoting, environmental intervention. These results might translate to other urban settings, as well. 

The mechanisms by which greenspace protects against infant mortality remain unclear. However, past research findings may shed some light. In past  Philadelphia based research, greenspace in vacant lots were shown to be associated with improved mental health outcomes, improved perceptions of safety, increased use of outdoor spaces for socializing and reduced rates of crime. There is strong evidence that maternal anxiety and depression can increase the risk of preterm birth, and preterm birth is associated with an increased risk of infant mortality. Other research also suggests that greenness protects against poor pregnancy outcomes. Thus, it is possible that the association between greenness and infant mortality is mediated by maternal stress.

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