Neighborhood blight, stress, and health: a walking trial of urban greening and ambulatory heart rate

Am J Public Health. 2015 May;105(5):909-13. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302526. Epub 2015 Mar 19.

Abstract

We measured dynamic stress responses using ambulatory heart rate monitoring as participants in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania walked past vacant lots before and after a greening remediation treatment of randomly selected lots. Being in view of a greened vacant lot decreased heart rate significantly more than did being in view of a nongreened vacant lot or not in view of any vacant lot. Remediating neighborhood blight may reduce stress and improve health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American
  • Environment Design*
  • Environment*
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Monitoring, Ambulatory
  • Philadelphia
  • Residence Characteristics*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Walking / physiology*