Journal of urban health : bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine
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Understanding when and where heat adversely influences health outcomes is critical for targeting interventions and adaptations. However, few studies have analyzed the role of indoor heat exposures on acute health outcomes. To address this research gap, the study partnered with the New York City Fire Department Emergency Medical Services. ⋯ There was some evidence that indoor temperatures further increased the odds of cardiovascular distress (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.97-2.13). Sensitivity testing suggested indoor temperatures at a lower threshold (≥ 26 °C) were unrelated to either health outcome. Along with converging lines of evidence linking extreme heat to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, we present one of the first indoor heat observational studies.
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Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are serious consequences of physical injuries. Stress associated with living in urban neighborhoods with socioecological disadvantages and the cumulative burdens of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to poorer psychological outcomes. Limited research has explored how ACEs and socioecological environmental exposures in childhood and adulthood, together, impact post-injury outcomes. ⋯ Census/administrative objective measures of neighborhood disadvantage did not show consistent associations with post-injury outcomes. Findings suggest that both ACEs and subjective perception of neighborhood environments are critical factors influencing post-injury recovery in urban Black men. Interventions to improve post-injury outcomes should consider preventing ACEs and addressing the tangible conditions of neighborhoods and residents' perceptions of their surroundings to promote health equity and injury recovery.
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Environmental context is an important predictor of health behavior. Understanding its effect on cannabis use among pregnant women is yet to be understood. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of perceived neighborhood environment on prenatal cannabis use and explore the mediating role of stress. ⋯ Compared to the highest quartile, the odds ratio (OR) for the lowest quartiles for social cohesion and trust, social disorder, and danger and safety were 1.77 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-3.03), 1.83 (95% CI: 1.15-2.91), and 1.93 (95% CI: 1.12-3.31) respectively. Evidence of mediation by perceived stress was only present between the association of perceived levels of safety and danger with cannabis use during pregnancy. Future prospective studies are warranted to understand the causal associations between individual correlates and social and physical environmental factors of prenatal cannabis use.
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Despite increasing interest in the role of parks on children's health, there has been little empirical research on the impact of park interventions. We used a quasi-experimental pre-post study design with matched controls to evaluate the effects of park redesign and renovation on children's health-related quality of life (QoL) in underserved neighborhoods in New York City, with predominantly Hispanic and Black populations. Utilizing longitudinal data from the Physical Activity and Redesigned Community Spaces (PARCS) Study, we examined the parent-reported health-related QoL of 201 children aged 3-11 years living within a 0.3-mile radius of 13 renovated parks compared to 197 children living near 11 control parks before and after the park intervention. ⋯ No significant DID was found in other KINDL domains. Our study indicated a beneficial impact of improving park quality on the physical well-being of children residing in underserved neighborhoods. These findings lend support for investments in neighborhood parks to advance health equity.