Health promoting green infrastructure associated with green space visitation

Background: With rapid urbanization globally, people in cities tend to have fewer opportunities to interact with nature. Some health-promoting green infrastructure may support increased visitation. Objective: To investigate associations between green space visitation and a range of health promoting green infrastructure. Methods: From November 2019 to January 2020, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in Shenzhen, China. Patients diagnosed with hypertension aged 35 years or older managed by community health centers for one year were recruited. A stratified multi-stage cluster random sampling method was applied to select a representative sample of 1 158 participants. A well-structured questionnaire was applied to obtain information. Participants were surveyed face-to-face (response rate 96.4 %; n = 1,116 participants) by trained interviewers. Binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between green space visitation and a range of health promoting green infrastructure. Results: The rate of visiting green space was 87.5 % (976/1,116). The rate of visiting green space for at least 30 min per week was 85.5 % (954/1,116). The rate of visiting green space for at least 120 min per week was 78.2 % (873/1,116). Green space with walking trails [OR(95 %CI): 2.322(1.501,3.591)], group exercise venue [OR(95 %CI): 1.546(1.034,2.312)] mean higher odds of people with hypertension visiting green space. Green space with fitness area availability was positively associated with cumulative green space visitation of 30 min or more a week [OR(95 %CI): 1.652(1.115,2.447)]. Health knowledge promotion area was associated with greater odds of visiting green space at least 120 min per week [OR(95 %CI): 1.529(1.124,2.079)]. Conclusion: Walking trails, health knowledge promotion areas, fitness areas and group exercise venue are associated with higher levels of green space visitation at health-relevant cumulative durations. Our findings have significance for urban greening strategies that aim to maximize population health.

Automated summary

The study investigated the association between green space visitation and health promoting green infrastructure. The results showed that green spaces with walking trails, group exercise venues, health knowledge promotion areas, and fitness areas were associated with higher levels of green space visitation among individuals with hypertension, providing important insights for urban greening strategies.