Would more parks and trees help L.A. County residents live longer?

Key takeawaysResearchers quantified the relationship between life expectancy and theamount of green space in Los Angeles County ’s census tracts.They found that two-thirds of the county ’s Black and Latino populations live in areas that have disproportionately less green coverage and lower average life expectancies.They estimated that by increasing tree canopy, vegetation and park access in green-poor areas, county residents could gain hundreds of thousands of years in overall  life expectancy.​Improving tree coverage and access to parks and green spaces in Los Angeles County, particularly in lower-income communities of color, could significantly boost life expectancy for local residents, according to a new study by UCLA public health researchers and colleagues.Their study,published in the peer-reviewed, open-access journal Environment International, is the first in the U.S to combine life expectancy data at the census tract level with data on parks, trees and overall neighborhood vegetation.Prior research has suggested that parks and greenery have mental and physical health benefits for residents of urban areas, providing clean air to breathe, shade during hot weather, and open and secluded areas for recreation and mental relaxation.The current findings extend those potential benefits and, the study authors say, provide policymakers with a blueprint for targeted green strategies that could increase longevity among predominantly Black and Latino residents of “park po...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news