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Diversity of Studies on Neighborhood Greenspace and Brain Health by Racialized/Ethnic Group and Geographic Region: A Rapid Review

Author

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  • Lilah M. Besser

    (Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33433, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Marcia Pescador Jimenez

    (Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Cameron J. Reimer

    (Department of Earth & Environment, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Oanh L. Meyer

    (Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA)

  • Diana Mitsova

    (School of Urban and Regional Planning, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA)

  • Kristen M. George

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA)

  • Paris B. Adkins-Jackson

    (Departments of Epidemiology and Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA)

  • James E. Galvin

    (Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33433, USA)

Abstract

Studies examining associations between greenspace and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) outcomes are rapidly on the rise, yet no known literature reviews have summarized the racialized/ethnic group and geographic variation of those published studies. This is a significant gap given the known disparities in both greenspace access and ADRD risk between racialized/ethnic groups and between developed versus developing countries. In this rapid literature review, we (1) describe the diversity of published greenspace–brain health studies with respect to racialized/ethnic groups and geographic regions; (2) determine the extent to which published studies have investigated racialized/ethnic group differences in associations; and (3) review methodological issues surrounding studies of racialized/ethnic group disparities in greenspace and brain health associations. Of the 57 papers meeting our inclusion criteria as of 4 March 2022, 21% ( n = 12) explicitly identified and included individuals who were Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and/or Asian. Twenty-one percent of studies ( n = 12) were conducted in developing countries (e.g., China, Dominican Republic, Mexico), and 7% ( n = 4) examined racialized/ethnic group differences in greenspace–brain health associations. None of the studies were framed by health disparities, social/structural determinants of health, or related frameworks, despite the known differences in both greenspace availability/quality and dementia risk by racialized/ethnic group and geography. Studies are needed in developing countries and that directly investigate racialized/ethnic group disparities in greenspace—brain health associations to target and promote health equity.

Suggested Citation

  • Lilah M. Besser & Marcia Pescador Jimenez & Cameron J. Reimer & Oanh L. Meyer & Diana Mitsova & Kristen M. George & Paris B. Adkins-Jackson & James E. Galvin, 2023. "Diversity of Studies on Neighborhood Greenspace and Brain Health by Racialized/Ethnic Group and Geographic Region: A Rapid Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-22, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:9:p:5666-:d:1134293
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    References listed on IDEAS

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