The representativeness of neighbourhood associations in Toronto and Vancouver
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Moore A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8422590 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Sleep duration is a risk factor for poor health and all-cause mortality. Evidence suggests that neighbourhood characteristics such as built environment and socioeconomic status (SES) may affect sleep duration in adults. This study examined the relationship between neighbourhood built environment (i.e., measured via the street pattern) and SES with sleep duration in adults (n = 797) from 12 neighbourhoods in Calgary (Canada). Covariate adjusted linear and multinomial logistic regression models estimated the associations between street pattern (grid, warped-grid, curvilinear), SES and sleep duration. We also tested if the interaction between street pattern and SES was associated with sleep duration. Although neighbourhood street pattern and neighbourhood SES were not independently associated with sleep, the interaction between street pattern and neighbourhood SES, was associated with mean sleep duration. Individuals living in curvilinear low SES neighbourhoods had the shortest sleep duration (6.93 h per day; 95% CI 6.68, 7.18), while those living in curvilinear high SES neighbourhoods slept the longest (7.43 h per day; 95% CI 7.29, 7.57). Neighbourhood street pattern and SES, as well as their interaction, were not associated with the odds of sleeping shorter or longer than 7 to 8 h per day. Our findings suggest that the combined effect of the neighbourhood built environment and SES is potentially important for influencing sleep duration. More research is needed to understand the complex interrelationships between the built environment, SES, and sleep.
| S-EPMC8022243 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesStudies have investigated the influence of neighbourhood walkability on residents' walking behaviour, aiming to increase physical activity and reduce dependence on automobiles. Previous research, however, has not considered how the amount of time spent in the residential neighbourhood may modify this relationship. Our objective was to determine how time spent in the residential neighbourhood affects the relationship between neighbourhood walkability and walking for transport.DesignUsing a cross-sectional sample of 2411 adults, we analysed the association between walkability (an index combining land-use mix, dwelling density and street connectivity) and transport-related walking (controlling for the effects of gender, age, income, self-rated health and regular access to private transport) testing for interactions by time spent in the neighbourhood.Primary outcome measureMinutes spent walking for transport per week.SettingToronto, Canada.ParticipantsParticipants were aged 25 to 65. The survey had a 72% response rate.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, the walkability index was weakly associated with walking (1 SD of walkability score is associated with 0.25 more minutes walking/week, p<0.01). Land-use mix was more strongly associated with walking than the walkability index. Time spent at the residential neighbourhood modified the relationship between land-use mix and transport-related walking in a dose-effect manner (p<0.01), those spending 5?hours on average at their residential neighbourhood have 0.2?min/day more walking for each additional land-use mix score and those spending 12?hours have 0.5?min/day more walking for each additional land-use mix score.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that walkability is associated with increased walking time, but it is modified by time spent in the neighbourhood. Our study underscores the importance of testing 'time spent in the neighbourhood' as a modifier of environmental exposures in studies of environmental correlates of walking.
| S-EPMC6500339 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Traffic is a significant pollution source in cities and has caused various health and environmental concerns worldwide. Therefore, an improved understanding of traffic impacts on particle concentrations and their components could help mitigate air pollution. In this study, the characteristics and sources of trace elements in PM2.5 (fine), and PM10-2.5 (coarse), were investigated in dense traffic areas in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada, from 2015-2017. At nearby urban background sites, 24-h integrated PM samples were also concurrently collected. The PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 masses, and a number of elements (i.e., Fe, Ba, Cu, Sb, Zn, Cr), showed clear increases at each near-road site, related to the traffic emissions resulting from resuspension and/or abrasion sources. The trace elements showed a clear partitioning trend between PM2.5 and PM10-2.5, thus reflecting the origin of some of these elements. The application of positive matrix factorization (PMF) to the combined fine and coarse metal data (86 total), with 24 observations at each site, was used to determine the contribution of different sources to the total metal concentrations in fine and coarse PM. Four major sources were identified by the PMF model, including two traffic non-exhaust (crustal/road dust, brake/tire wear) sources, along with regional and local industrial sources. Source apportionment indicated that the resuspended crustal/road dust factor was the dominant contributor to the total coarse-bound trace element (i.e., Fe, Ti, Ba, Cu, Zn, Sb, Cr) concentrations produced by vehicular exhaust and non-exhaust traffic-related processes that have been deposited onto the surface. The second non-exhaust factor related to brake/tire wear abrasion accounted for a considerable portion of the fine and coarse elemental (i.e., Ba, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sb) mass at both near-road sites. Regional and local industry contributed mostly to the fine elemental (i.e., S, As, Se, Cd, Pb) concentrations. Overall, the results show that non-exhaust traffic-related processes were major contributors to the various redox-active metal species (i.e., Fe, Cu) in both PM fractions. In addition, a substantial proportion of these metals in PM2.5 was water-soluble, which is an important contributor to the formation of reactive oxygen species and, thus, may lead to oxidative damage to cells in the human body. It appears that controlling traffic non-exhaust-related metals emissions, in the absence of significant point sources in the area, could have a pronounced effect on the redox activity of PM, with broad implications for the protection of public health.
| S-EPMC8537750 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The COVID-19 pandemic saw residential neighbourhoods become more of a focal point in people's lives, where people were greater confined to living, working, and undertaking leisure in their locality. This study investigates whether area-level deprivation and neighbourhood conditions influence mental health, accounting for demographic, socio-economic and health circumstances of individuals. Using nationally representative data from Ireland, regression modelling revealed that area-level deprivation did not in itself have a discernible impact on mental health status (as measured using the Mental Health Inventory-5 instrument and the Energy and Vitality Index), or likelihood of having suffered depression in the previous 12 months. However, positive perceptions of area safety, service provision, and area cleanliness were associated with better mental health, as was involvement in social groups. Broad ranging policies investing in neighbourhoods, could have benefits for mental health, which may be especially important for deprived communities.
| S-EPMC9886251 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo determine whether neighbourhood walkability is associated with clinical measures of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia in an urban adult population.DesignObservational cross-sectional study.SettingUrban primary care patients.Participants78?023 Toronto residents, aged 18?years and over, who were formally rostered or had at least 2 visits between 2012 and 2014 with a primary care physician participating in the University of Toronto Practice Based Research Network (UTOPIAN), within the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN).Main outcome measuresDifferences in average body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride between residents in the highest versus the lowest quartile of neighbourhood walkability, as estimated using multivariable linear regression models and stratified by age. Outcomes were objectively measured and were retrieved from primary care electronic medical records. Models adjusted for age, sex, smoking, medications, medical comorbidities and indices of neighbourhood safety and marginalisation.ResultsCompared with those in the lowest walkability quartile, individuals in the highest quartile had lower mean BMI (-2.64?kg/m2, 95% CI -2.98 to -2.30; p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (-1.35?mm?Hg, 95% CI -2.01 to -0.70; p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (-0.60?mm?Hg, 95% CI 1.06 to -0.14; p=0.010) and HbA1c (-0.063%, 95% CI -0.11 to -0.021; p=0.003) and higher mean HDL (0.052?mmol/L, 95% CI 0.029 to 0.075; p<0.001). In age-stratified analyses, differences in the mean BMI were consistently observed for adults aged 18 to under 40 (-4.44?kg/m2, 95% CI -5.09 to -3.79; p<0.001), adults aged 40-65 (-2.74?kg/m2, 95% CI -3.24 to -2.23; p<0.001) and adults aged over 65 (-0.87?kg/m2, 95% CI -1.48 to -0.26; p=0.005).ConclusionsThere was a clinically meaningful association between living in the most walkable neighbourhoods and having lower BMI in adults of all ages.
| S-EPMC5775455 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundAs the largest city in Canada, Toronto has played an important role in the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Ontario, and the burden of disease across Toronto neighbourhoods has shown considerable heterogeneity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the spatial variation of sporadic SARS-CoV-2 cases in Toronto neighbourhoods by detecting clusters of increased risk and investigating effects of neighbourhood-level risk factors on rates.MethodsData on sporadic SARS-CoV-2 cases, at the neighbourhood level, for Jan. 25 to Nov. 26, 2020, were obtained from the City of Toronto COVID-19 dashboard. We used a flexibly shaped spatial scan to detect clusters of increased risk of sporadic COVID-19. We then used a generalized linear geostatistical model to investigate whether average household size, population density, dependency ratio and prevalence of low-income households were associated with sporadic SARS-CoV-2 rates.ResultsWe identified 3 clusters of elevated risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with standardized morbidity ratios ranging from 1.59 to 2.43. The generalized linear geostatistical model found that average household size (relative risk [RR] 2.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.80-2.61) and percentage of low-income households (RR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.04) were significant predictors of sporadic SARS-CoV-2 cases at the neighbourhood level.InterpretationDuring the study period, 3 clusters of increased risk of sporadic SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified, and average household size and percentage of low-income households were found to be associated with sporadic SARS-CoV-2 rates at the neighbourhood level. The findings of this study can be used to target resources and create policy to address inequities that are shown through heterogeneity of SARS-CoV-2 cases at the neighbourhood level in Toronto, Ontario.
| S-EPMC9259452 | biostudies-literature
Project description:OBJECTIVE:Alcohol overuse and poverty, each associated with premature death, often exist within disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Cheque cashing places (CCPs) may be opportunistically placed in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, where customers abound. We explored whether neighbourhood density of CCPs and alcohol outlets are each related to premature mortality among adults. DESIGN:Retrospective population-based study. SETTING:140 neighbourhoods in Toronto, Ontario, 2005-2009. PARTICIPANTS:Adults aged 20-59 years. MEASURES:Our primary outcome was premature all-cause mortality among adults aged 20-59 years. Across neighbourhoods we explored neighbourhood density, in km(2), of CCPs and alcohol outlets, and the relation of each to premature mortality. Poisson regression provided adjusted relative risks (aRRs) and 95% CIs, adjusting for material deprivation quintile (Q), crime Q and number of banks. RESULTS:Intentional self-harm, accidental poisoning and liver disease were among the top five causes of premature death among males aged 20-59 years. The overall premature mortality rate was 96.3/10,000 males and 55.9/10,000 females. Comparing the highest versus lowest CCP density Q, the aRR for death was 1.25 (95% CI 1.15 to 1.36) among males and 1.11 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.24) among females. The corresponding aRR comparing the highest Q versus lowest Q alcohol outlet density in relation to premature mortality was 1.36 (95% CI 1.25 to 1.48) for males and 1.11 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.24) for females. The pattern of the relation between either CCPs or alcohol outlet density and premature mortality was typically J shaped. CONCLUSIONS:There is a J-shaped relation between CCP or alcohol outlet density and premature mortality, even on controlling for conventional measures of poverty. Formal banking and alcohol reduction strategies might be added to health promotion policies aimed at reducing premature mortality in highly affected neighbourhoods.
| S-EPMC4275686 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundThe UK Biobank (UKB) has been used widely to examine associations between lifestyle risk factors and mortality outcomes. It is unknown whether the extremely low UKB response rate (5.5%) and lack of representativeness materially affects the magnitude and direction of effect estimates.MethodsWe used poststratification to match the UKB sample to the target population in terms of sociodemographic characteristics and prevalence of lifestyle risk factors (physical inactivity, alcohol intake, smoking, and poor diet). We compared unweighted and poststratified associations between each lifestyle risk factor and a lifestyle index score with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality. We also calculated the unweighted to poststratified ratio of HR (RHR) and 95% confidence interval as a marker of effect-size difference.ResultsOf 371,974 UKB participants with no missing data, 302,009 had no history of CVD or cancer, corresponding to 3,298,958 person years of follow-up. Protective associations between alcohol use and CVD mortality observed in the unweighted UKB were substantially altered after poststratification, for example, from a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.63 (0.45-0.87) unweighted to 0.99 (0.65-1.50) poststratified for drinking ≥5 times/week versus never drinking. The magnitude of the poststratified all-cause mortality hazard ratio comparing least healthy with healthiest tertile of lifestyle risk factor index was 9% higher (95% confidence interval: 4%, 14%) than the unweighted estimates.ConclusionsLack of representativeness may distort the associations of alcohol with CVD mortality, and may underestimate health hazards among those with cumulatively the least healthy lifestyles.
| S-EPMC7850587 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Researchers investigating relationships between the neighbourhood environment and health first need to decide on the spatial extent of the neighbourhood they are interested in. This decision is an important and ongoing methodological challenge since different methods of defining and delineating neighbourhood boundaries can produce different results. This paper explores this issue in the context of a New Zealand-based study of the relationship between the built environment and multiple measures of physical activity. Geographic information systems were used to measure three built environment attributes-dwelling density, street connectivity, and neighbourhood destination accessibility-using seven different neighbourhood definitions (three administrative unit boundaries, and 500, 800, 1000- and 1500-m road network buffers). The associations between the three built environment measures and five measures of physical activity (mean accelerometer counts per hour, percentage time in moderate-vigorous physical activity, self-reported walking for transport, self-reported walking for recreation and self-reported walking for all purposes) were modelled for each neighbourhood definition. The combination of the choice of neighbourhood definition, built environment measure, and physical activity measure determined whether evidence of an association was detected or not. Results demonstrated that, while there was no single ideal neighbourhood definition, the built environment was most consistently associated with a range of physical activity measures when the 800-m and 1000-m road network buffers were used. For the street connectivity and destination accessibility measures, associations with physical activity were less likely to be detected at smaller scales (less than 800 m). In line with some previous research, this study demonstrated that the choice of neighbourhood definition can influence whether or not an association between the built environment and adults' physical activity is detected or not. This study additionally highlighted the importance of the choice of built environment attribute and physical activity measures. While we identified the 800-m and 1000-m road network buffers as the neighbourhood definitions most consistently associated with a range of physical activity measures, it is important that researchers carefully consider the most appropriate type of neighbourhood definition and scale for the particular aim and participants, especially at smaller scales.
| S-EPMC6540146 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundGreenspace has been associated with health benefits in many contexts. An important pathway may be through outdoor physical activity. We use a novel approach to examine the link between greenspace microenvironments and outdoor physical activity levels in the HEALS study conducted in Edinburgh (UK), the Netherlands, and Athens and Thessaloniki (Greece).MethodsUsing physical activity tracker recordings, 118 HEALS participants with young children were classified with regard to daily minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA); 60 were classified with regard to the metabolic equivalent task (MET)-minutes for each of the 1014 active trips they made. Greenspace indicators were generated for Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), tree cover density (TCD), and green land use (GLU). We employed linear mixed-effects models to analyse (1) daily MVPA in relation to greenspace within 300 m and 1000 m of residential addresses and (2) trip MET-minutes in relation to average greenspace within a 50 m buffer of walking/cycling routes. Models were adjusted for activity, walkability, bluespace, age, sex, car ownership, dog ownership, season, weekday/weekend day, and local meteorology.ResultsThere was no clear association between MVPA-minutes and any residential greenspace measure. For example, in fully adjusted models, a 10 percentage point increase in NDVI within 300 m of home was associated with a daily increase of 1.14 (95% CI - 0.41 to 2.70) minutes of MVPA. However, we did find evidence to indicate greenspace markers were positively linked to intensity and duration of activity: in fully adjusted models, 10 percentage point increases in trip NDVI, TCD, and GLU were associated with increases of 10.4 (95% CI: 4.43 to 16.4), 10.6 (95% CI: 4.96 to 16.3), and 3.36 (95% CI: 0.00 to 6.72) MET-minutes, respectively. The magnitude of associations with greenspace tended to be greater for cycling.ConclusionsMore strenuous or longer walking and cycling trips occurred in environments with more greenspace, but levels of residential greenspace did not have a clear link with outdoor MVPA. To build on our research, we suggest future work examine larger, more diverse populations and investigate the influence of greenspace for trip purpose and route preference.
| S-EPMC7860634 | biostudies-literature