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Urban Public Health: Is There a Pyramid?

Author

Listed:
  • Meirong Su

    (State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai St., Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Bin Chen

    (State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai St., Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Zhifeng Yang

    (State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai St., Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Yanpeng Cai

    (State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai St., Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
    Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Communities, University of Regina, 120-2 Research Drive, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 7H9, Canada)

  • Jiao Wang

    (Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA)

Abstract

Early ecologists identified a pyramidal trophic structure in terms of number, biomass and energy transfer. In 1943, the psychologist Maslow put forward a pyramid model to describe layers of human needs. It is indicated that the pyramid principle is universally applicable in natural, humanistic and social disciplines. Here, we report that a pyramid structure also exists in urban public health (UPH). Based on 18 indicators, the UPH states of four cities (Beijing, Tokyo, New York, and London) are compared from the point of view of five aspects, namely physical health, living conditions, social security, environmental quality, and education and culture. A pyramid structure was found in each city when focusing on 2000–2009 data. The pyramid of Beijing is relatively similar to that of Tokyo, and the pyramids of New York and London are similar to each other. A general development trend in UPH is proposed and represented by different pyramid modes. As a basic conjecture, the UPH pyramid model can be verified and developed with data of more cities over a longer period, and be used to promote healthy urban development.

Suggested Citation

  • Meirong Su & Bin Chen & Zhifeng Yang & Yanpeng Cai & Jiao Wang, 2013. "Urban Public Health: Is There a Pyramid?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-9, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:10:y:2013:i:2:p:490-498:d:23156
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Brown, Tim & Bell, Morag, 2007. "Off the couch and on the move: Global public health and the medicalisation of nature," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(6), pages 1343-1354, March.
    4. Su, M.R. & Yang, Z.F. & Chen, B. & Ulgiati, S., 2009. "Urban ecosystem health assessment based on emergy and set pair analysis—A comparative study of typical Chinese cities," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(18), pages 2341-2348.
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