The Effects of Green Spaces and Noise Exposure on the Risk of Ischemic Stroke: A Case–Control Study in Lebanon

Jad El Masri (), Hani Finge, Ahmad Afyouni, Tarek Baroud, Najla Ajaj, Maya Ghazi, Diala El Masri, Mahmoud Younes, Pascale Salameh and Hassan Hosseini
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Jad El Masri: INSERM U955-E01, Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, Université Paris-Est Créteil, 94010 Créteil, France
Hani Finge: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut 1533, Lebanon
Ahmad Afyouni: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut 1533, Lebanon
Tarek Baroud: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut 1533, Lebanon
Najla Ajaj: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut 1533, Lebanon
Maya Ghazi: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut 1533, Lebanon
Diala El Masri: Faculty of Medicine, University of Balamand, Koura 1100, Lebanon
Mahmoud Younes: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut 1533, Lebanon
Pascale Salameh: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut 1533, Lebanon
Hassan Hosseini: INSERM U955-E01, Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, Université Paris-Est Créteil, 94010 Créteil, France

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 10, 1-13

Abstract: Background: Environmental surroundings reduce the rate of several diseases, especially those related to stressful events. Ischemic stroke can be affected by such events, either directly or through its risk factors. Therefore, the present study evaluates the effects of green spaces and noise exposure on the risk of ischemic stroke. Methods: A case–control study was carried out, including 200 ischemic stroke cases within the first 48 h of diagnosis and 200 controls, divided equally into hospitalized and non-hospitalized participants. Controls were matched to cases based on age and gender. Socio-demographic characteristics were assessed, in addition to environmental surroundings and noise exposure at home and at workplaces. Results: Living in a house, having a house garden, and taking care of the garden were associated with a lower risk of suffering an ischemic stroke ( p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.009, respectively). However, having buildings as the view from home led to a higher stroke rate ( p < 0.001). Working in an urban area, the workplace being surrounded by buildings, and the workplace not being surrounded by green spaces were also associated with a higher risk of suffering an ischemic stroke ( p = 0.002, p = 0.001, and p = 0.03, respectively). As for noise exposure, being exposed to traffic noise, human noise, and other types of noise was significantly associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke, while being exposed to higher levels of natural noise was significantly associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke. Higher levels of noise were also associated with higher risks of ischemic stroke in homes and workplaces ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively). Conclusions: Environmental surroundings and noise exposure were found to affect the risk of ischemic stroke. Greater green spaces and lower noise exposure play a protective role against ischemic stroke, suggesting a possible prevention strategy through environmental modifications at home and workplaces.

Keywords: ischemic stroke; risk factors; environment; green space; noise exposure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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