Association between city parks and risk of hypertension amongst reproductive age women

Abstract

Background: There is some evidence that exposure to green environments is associated with health benefits, including lower blood pressure, although little research has been reported using exposure measures at the personal level. Aims We examined the association between city parks and hypertension amongst reproductive aged women. Methods: This study included 3,416 women 20-45 year’s old Kaunas city residents. We used a geographic information system (GIS) to assess the ambient NO2 exposure and surrounding greenness in buffers of 300 m, 700 m and 1000 m around each women place of residence. Green space exposure effects on doctor-diagnosed hypertension were estimated by multiple logistic regressions with adjustments for potential confounders and NO2 exposure. Results: An increase in the distance from city parks across 20-45 years old women was associated with an increase in odds ratio (OR) for high normal blood pressure group and an exposure-response relation was indicated (OR=1.10, 95% CI 0.80–1.50 and OR=2,01, 95% CI 1.31–3,11, moderate vs. lowest and highest vs. lowest exposure, respectively). The effect was less pronounced amongst women of hypertension group (OR=1.22, 95% CI 0.80–1.86, highest vs. lowest exposure). Conclusions: The present study findings suggest a beneficial effect of exposure to green spaces on hypertension risk amongst 20-45 years old women. Neighbourhood greenness may have an impact in prevention hypertension and reducing related morbidity.