A Canopy of Health and Longevity

A number of previous studies suggest health-promoting benefits of greenery in urban settings.   Omid Kardan, from the University of Chicago (Illinois, USA), and colleagues related the domains of green space (tree canopy only, excluding grass and bushes) in Toronto, Canada and self-reports of 31,000 men and women on their general health as well as incidence of heart disease, diabetes and mental disorders.  After adjusting for confounding factors and conducting data analyses, the team found that people who live in neighborhoods with a higher density of trees on their streets report significantly higher health perception and significantly fewer cardiometabolic conditions. The study authors report that:  “We find that having 10 more trees in a city block, on average, improves health perception in ways comparable to an increase in annual personal income of $10,000 and moving to a neighborhood with $10,000 higher median income or being 7 years younger. We also find that having 11 more trees in a city block, on average, decreases cardio-metabolic conditions in ways comparable to an increase in annual personal income of $20,000 and moving to a neighborhood with $20,000 higher median income or being 1.4 years younger.”