Approaching Environmental Health Disparities and Green Spaces: An Ecosystem Services Perspective

Viniece Jennings and Cassandra Johnson Gaither
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Viniece Jennings: USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Integrating Human and Natural Systems, 320 Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA
Cassandra Johnson Gaither: USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Integrating Human and Natural Systems, 320 Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: Health disparities occur when adverse health conditions are unequal across populations due in part to gaps in wealth. These disparities continue to plague global health. Decades of research suggests that the natural environment can play a key role in sustaining the health of the public. However, the influence of the natural environment on health disparities is not well-articulated. Green spaces provide ecosystem services that are vital to public health. This paper discusses the link between green spaces and some of the nation’s leading health issues such as obesity, cardiovascular health, heat-related illness, and psychological health. These associations are discussed in terms of key demographic variables—race, ethnicity, and income. The authors also identify research gaps and recommendations for future research.

Keywords: environmental health disparities; ecosystem services; green space; urban health; nature; parks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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