Tree canopy and cardiovascular health disparities—Implications for Environmental Planning

Keywords: Health equity, tree canopy, environmental planning
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown that green space exposure is related to health outcomes, including the cardiovascular death rate. The distribution of greenness (in our case, tree canopy) is highly correlated with socioeconomic factors. Thus, there are also cardiovascular health disparities. However, more needs to be done to understand how environmental planning could do to improve the health equity issue. Our study answers: (1) how cardiovascular health disparities are related to tree canopy distribution; (2) what are the implications for environmental planning to promote health equity?

We use the Puget Sound Region in the US as an example and use census tract level data, including health data, socioeconomic data, tree canopy data, and built environment data. We apply spatial statistical and machine learning methods to further understand, interpret, and predict the role of tree canopy and urban forestry planning in affecting cardiovascular health disparities. Our study shows that tree canopy is significantly related to cardiovascular health disparities and that further actions in environmental planning are needed.