Anderson Vidya, Gough William A, Agic Branka
Climate Lab, Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada.
Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 27;18(11):5763. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18115763.
The built environment is a physical determinant of health essential to the planning and development of a more equitable society. Communities face growing challenges due to environmental stressors such as climate change, with vulnerable communities experiencing a disproportionate burden of adverse health outcomes. The interdependencies between urban planning and public health outcomes are inextricable, with respect to improving access to healthier built environments for vulnerable and marginalized groups. Widespread implementation of nature-based solutions, such as green infrastructure, provides a multi-functional strategy to support sustainable development, increase climate resilience, enhance ecological connectivity, and create healthier communities. A Health Equity Impact Assessment presents the findings of a participatory research study utilizing key informant interviews of public health unit professionals (eight) and a survey of green infrastructure volunteers and workers (36) on the impact of green infrastructure on individual and community mental and physical well-being, service use, and perceived unmet needs, using Ontario, Canada as a case study. Study findings indicate that where green infrastructure is both productive and publicly accessible, the benefits were significant for vulnerable populations. These benefits include increased social connectivity, skills development, and food security. Green infrastructure could be a viable strategy to address environmental stressors, improve health equity, and support localization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
建筑环境是健康的一个物质决定因素，对于建设一个更加公平的社会至关重要。由于气候变化等环境压力因素，社区面临着越来越大的挑战，弱势群体承受着不成比例的不良健康后果负担。在为弱势群体和边缘化群体改善获得更健康建筑环境的机会方面，城市规划与公共卫生成果之间的相互依存关系是密不可分的。广泛实施基于自然的解决方案，如绿色基础设施，提供了一种多功能战略，以支持可持续发展、增强气候适应力、加强生态连通性并创建更健康的社区。一项健康公平影响评估展示了一项参与性研究的结果，该研究以加拿大安大略省为案例研究，通过对公共卫生单位专业人员（8名）进行关键信息访谈以及对绿色基础设施志愿者和工作人员（36名）进行调查，探讨绿色基础设施对个人和社区身心健康、服务使用以及未满足需求的影响。研究结果表明，在绿色基础设施既有生产力又对公众开放的地方，对弱势群体的益处显著。这些益处包括增强社会连通性、技能发展和粮食安全。绿色基础设施可能是应对环境压力因素、改善健康公平并支持联合国可持续发展目标（SDGs）本地化的一项可行战略。
