Journal of urban health : bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine
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Despite increasing interest in the role of parks on children's health, there has been little empirical research on the impact of park interventions. We used a quasi-experimental pre-post study design with matched controls to evaluate the effects of park redesign and renovation on children's health-related quality of life (QoL) in underserved neighborhoods in New York City, with predominantly Hispanic and Black populations. Utilizing longitudinal data from the Physical Activity and Redesigned Community Spaces (PARCS) Study, we examined the parent-reported health-related QoL of 201 children aged 3-11 years living within a 0.3-mile radius of 13 renovated parks compared to 197 children living near 11 control parks before and after the park intervention. ⋯ No significant DID was found in other KINDL domains. Our study indicated a beneficial impact of improving park quality on the physical well-being of children residing in underserved neighborhoods. These findings lend support for investments in neighborhood parks to advance health equity.
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From 2014 to 2017, the drug overdose death rate per 100,000 in New York City (NYC) increased by 81%, with 57% of overdoses in 2017 involving the opioid fentanyl. In response, overdose education and naloxone dispensing (OEND) efforts were expanded in NYC, informed by neighborhood-level and population-level opioid overdose fatality rates. We describe the demographic and geographical distribution of naloxone by NYC opioid overdose prevention programs (OOPPs; the primary distributor of naloxone to laypersons in NYC) as OEND was expanded in NYC. ⋯ Naloxone receipt by race/ethnicity varied by OOPP type. Program goals to expand naloxone distribution to high-need populations were met. We observed racial/ethnic differences in receipt of naloxone by program type, which supports using a variety of OOPP program types to reach racially diverse populations.
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Environmental noise is a significant public health concern, ranking among the top environmental risks to citizens' health and quality of life. Despite extensive research on atmospheric pollution's impact on mental health, spatial studies on noise pollution effects are lacking. This study fills this gap by exploring the association between noise pollution and depression in England, with a focus on localised patterns based on area deprivation. ⋯ Notably, GSESM showed that health deprivation and disability were strongly linked (0.62) to depression through the indirect effect of noise, especially where transportation noise exceeds 55 dB on a 24-h basis. Understanding these variations is crucial for developing noise mitigation strategies. This research offers new insights into noise, deprivation, and mental health, supporting targeted interventions to improve quality of life and address health inequalities.
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Chronological age is not an accurate predictor of morbidity and mortality risk, as individuals' aging processes are diverse. Phenotypic age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel) is a validated biological age measure incorporating chronological age and biomarkers from blood samples commonly used in clinical practice that can better reflect aging-related morbidity and mortality risk. The heterogeneity of age-related decline is not random, as environmental exposures can promote or impede healthy aging. ⋯ Interaction models revealed a more substantial detrimental association for women and racial and ethnic minorities with differences in leading SVI themes. These findings suggest that neighborhood-level social vulnerability increases the biological age of its residents, increasing morbidity and mortality risks. Socioeconomic status has the larger detrimental role among the different facets of social environment.
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Historical redlining, a racially discriminatory practice implemented by the US government in the 1930s, has been associated with present-day environmental outcomes. However, there is limited research examining the relationship between historical redlining and contemporary housing quality. The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between historical redlining and contemporary housing quality in Atlanta, Georgia. ⋯ Redlined neighborhoods also had an increased risk of "hazardous" housing complaints (IRR = 1.94, 95% confidence interval = 1.11, 3.40), after adjusting for contemporary neighborhood characteristics. Historically redlined neighborhoods exhibited disproportionately higher rates of housing code violation complaints. Spatial analysis of housing code violation complaints can provide insights into housing quality and inform interventions targeted at addressing the environmental legacy of structural racism.