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

Eugenia C. South; Michelle Kondo; Rose A. Cheney; Charles C. Branas

doi:10.2105/AJPH.2014.302526

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

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Eugenia C. South, Michelle Kondo, Rose A. Cheney, Charles C. Branas

Year:

2015

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.302526

Source:

American Journal of Public Health. 105(5): 909-913.

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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.

Citation

South, Eugenia C.; Kondo, Michelle C.; Cheney, Rose A.; Branas, Charles C. 2015. Neighborhood blight, stress, and health: a walking trial of urban greening and ambulatory heart rate. American Journal of Public Health. 105(5): 909-913.