Urban Greenspaces: Bridging Mental Health Disparities

Philadelphia is the sixth largest city by population in the United States and it has one of the lowest median incomes of large cities. Social inequalities in the city, such as access to health services, are extreme and may explain vast racial and ethnic inequities in health and well-being. 

Increasing evidence also indicates that quality neighborhood amenities, such as well-maintained parks and greenspaces, have important impacts on physical and mental health.  In this study, scientists delved into the relationship between urban greenspaces and mental health disparities. 

Key Findings

• Increased residential tree cover, particularly within 250 meters of a residence, was linked to a significant reduction in the occurrence of mental health conditions, with an especially positive impact on lower-income individuals.
• This research suggests that efforts to increase tree canopy in poorer neighborhoods may yield significant mental health benefits and promote more equitable well-being.

Approach

Using data from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey, scientists looked at whether levels of residential tree can

opy and access to parks could help explain the gap in mental health inequalities in the five-county Philadelphia metropolitan area. The data included survey responses from over 11,000 people collected between 2015 and 2018.

Data on mental health was obtained from answers to the following question: Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition? For each respondent, scientists collected information on gender identity, age, race/ethnicity, household income, education, and employment status.

Researchers found that higher levels of residential tree cover, particularly within a 250-meter radius of an individuals' home, were associated with significantly better mental health. The positive impact was even more pronounced for respondents at lower income levels.

Outcomes

• Greenspace may improve mental health via restorative effects such as reducing physiological stress, improving ability to focus, and improving mood.
• Urban greenspaces have the potential to play an important role in addressing income-based mental health disparities.   
• The research suggests that initiatives aimed at preserving and augmenting tree canopy in poorer neighborhoods may help deliver substantial mental health benefits and promote equity in well-being.