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Research Theme: Safety & Health & Wellbeing

Scholarship on supporting human safety, health and well-being, from the individual, to built environment industries, to the region

Neighborhood greenspace and neighborhood income associated with white matter grade worsening: Cardiovascular Health Study

Besser, L. M., Lovasi, G. S., Zambrano, J. J., Camacho, S., Dhanekula, D., Michael, Y. L., Garg, P., Hirsch, J. A., Siscovick, D., Hurvitz, P. M., Biggs, M. L., Galvin, J. E., Bartz, T. M., & Longstreth, W. T. (2023). Neighborhood greenspace and neighborhood income associated with white matter grade worsening: Cardiovascular Health Study. Alzheimer’s & Dementia : Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, 15(4), e12484–e12484. https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.12484

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION
We examined whether a combined measure of neighborhood greenspace and neighborhood median income was associated with white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and ventricle size changes.

METHODS
The sample included 1260 cognitively normal ≥ 65‐year‐olds with two magnetic resonance images (MRI; ≈ 5 years apart). WMH and ventricular size were graded from 0 (least) to 9 (most) abnormal (worsening = increase of ≥1 grade from initial to follow‐up MRI scans). The four‐category neighborhood greenspace–income measure was based on median neighborhood greenspace and income values at initial MRI. Multivariable logistic regression tested associations between neighborhood greenspace–income and MRI measures (worsening vs. not).

RESULTS
White matter grade worsening was more likely for those in lower greenspace–lower income neighborhoods than higher greenspace–higher income neighborhoods (odds ratio = 1.73; 95% confidence interval = 1.19–2.51).

DISCUSSION
The combination of lower neighborhood income and lower greenspace may be a risk factor for worsening white matter grade on MRI. However, findings need to be replicated in more diverse cohorts.

HIGHLIGHTS
Population‐based cohort of older adults (≥ 65 years) with greenspace and MRI data
Combined measure of neighborhood greenspace and neighborhood income at initial MRI
MRI outcomes included white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and ventricular size
Longitudinal change in MRI outcomes measured approximately 5 years apart
Worsening WMH over time more likely for lower greenspace‐lower income neighborhoods

Keywords

built environment; green space; magnetic resonance imaging; neighborhood; socioeconomic status

A Critical Investigation of Common Lighting Design Metrics for Predicting Human Visual Comfort in Offices with Daylight

Van Den Wymelenberg, K., & Inanici, M. (2014). A Critical Investigation of Common Lighting Design Metrics for Predicting Human Visual Comfort in Offices with Daylight. Leukos, 10(3), 145–164. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502724.2014.881720

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Abstract

Existing visual comfort metrics are reviewed and critiqued based upon their ability to explain the variability in human subjective responses in a daylit private office laboratory environment. Participants (n = 48) evaluated visual comfort and preference factors, totaling 1488 discreet appraisals, and luminance-based metrics were captured with high dynamic range images and illuminance-based metrics were recorded. Vertical illuminance outperformed all commonly referenced visual comfort metrics including horizontal illuminance, IES luminance ratios, daylight glare probability (DGP), and daylight glare index (DGI). The bounded borderline between comfort and discomfort is introduced, and preliminary visual comfort design criteria are proposed for several existing metrics. Fundamental limitations of glare indices are documented, and the implications of inconsistent application of luminance ratio calculation methods are quantified. Future research is detailed.

Keywords

daylight glare; daylight metrics; luminance ratio; vertical illuminance; visual comfort

Non-ionizing radiation modeling to predict ambient irradiance in work areas at an indoor cannabis farm

Chmielinski, M., Yost, M. G., Cohen, M., Inanici, M., & Simpson, C. D. (2023). Non-ionizing radiation modeling to predict ambient irradiance in work areas at an indoor cannabis farm. Annals of Work Exposures and Health. https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxad048

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Abstract

Agricultural workers frequently experience potentially hazardous exposure to non-ionizing radiation from both solar and artificial sources, and measurement of this exposure can be expensive and impractical for large populations. This project develops and evaluates a vegetative radiative transfer model (VRTM) to predict irradiance in a grow room of an indoor cannabis farm. The model uses morphological characteristics of the crop, manufacturer provided lamp emissions data, and dimensional measurements of the grow room and cannabis hedgerows to predict irradiance. A linear regression comparing model predictions with the measurements taken by a visible light spectroradiometer had slopes within 23% of unity and R2 values above 0.88 for visible (400–700 nm), blue (400–500 nm), green (500–600 nm), and red (600–700 nm) wavelength bands. The excellent agreement between the model and the measured irradiance in the cannabis farm grow room supports the potential of using VRTMs to predict irradiance and worker exposure in agricultural settings. Because there is no mechanistic difference between visible and other non-ionizing wavelengths of radiation in regards to mechanisms of radiative transfer, the model developed herein for visible wavelengths of radiation should be generalizable to other radiation bands including infrared and ultraviolet radiation.

Keywords

horticulture; indoor; Marijuana; non-ionizing radiation; radiative transfer; UV

Dan Abramson working with Westport, WA community to create a tsunami response plan

Dan Abramson is one of the researchers working with costal town Westport, WA to develop a tsunami response plan. Abramson is an Associate Professor in the Urban Design and Planning department. “When the ‘big one’ hits — a magnitude 9.0 or higher Cascadia subduction zone earthquake — researchers and officials predict that within minutes of the shaking a wall of water reaching 40 feet tall will inundate the coastline, including Westport.” This indicates the importance of this response plan.  Read…

Understanding the role of individual- and community-based resources in disaster preparedness

Nguyễn, L. T., Bostrom, A., Abramson, D. B., & Moy, P. (2023). Understanding the role of individual- and community-based resources in disaster preparedness. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 96, 103882–. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103882

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Abstract

Standard emergency management practice in the U.S measures disaster preparedness as an individual household attribute based on amounts of stocked supplies, hazard mitigation actions, and emergency planning. Such measures generally fail to consider how norms of trust, fairness, and reciprocity, as well as networks of social relationships—that is, social capital—can facilitate coordination and enable sharing and communal action in the face of disaster. Our study assesses how shared resources, social capital, and day-to-day resources (specifically, food and water) could influence earthquake disaster preparedness across different communities. Using Seattle as the site of investigation, the study involved a split-ballot experiment embedded in a mail survey of a random sample of households. These households were stratified by zip codes selected for their contrasting demographics (N = 1340). Half of the households in each zip code answered conventional individualistic measures of disaster preparedness, while the other half answered questions regarding resources they, their family, friends, and neighbors might share. In racial-majority-dominated zip codes, reported preparedness was higher when people were asked to consider shared resources. Disaster preparedness also appeared to be underestimated with the traditional measure. Households with greater bridging social capital (connections with individuals who differ in their social identity but who may share some similar interests) and longer neighborhood tenure also reported higher preparedness. Our findings suggest disaster preparedness efforts should focus on supplementing individual preparedness with daily resources, social capital, and collective shareable community assets—a focus that we call “mainstreaming.”

Keywords

Disaster preparedness; Social capital; Asset-based; Readiness; Resilience; Earthquakes

Factors Influencing Willingness to Share Resources Postdisaster: A Cross-Cultural Comparison between US and Japanese Communities

Idziorek, K., Abramson, D. B., Kitagawa, N., Yamamoto, T., & Chen, C. (2023). Factors Influencing Willingness to Share Resources Postdisaster: A Cross-Cultural Comparison between US and Japanese Communities. Natural Hazards Review, 24(4). https://doi.org/10.1061/NHREFO.NHENG-1836

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Abstract

When large-scale disasters occur, people often are left on their own to seek critical resources: food, water, medications, and other important items. Historically, government agencies have developed disaster preparedness strategies focused primarily on either the level of the individual or household or on the ability of government agents to provide relief to affected areas. Such approaches do not consider the potential for community members to share needed resources with one another—a crucial factor in survival when earthquakes, floods, landslides, and other disruptions to transportation and communications cut off whole communities from external aid. In this study, we used a simple random sample survey to measure households’ actual and perceived preparedness and assess individuals’ willingness to share essential resources following a large disaster using survey data gathered from three communities in the Pacific Northwest of the US (𝑁=638; overall response rate 20.1%) and Nagoya, Japan (𝑁=1,043; response rate 13.6%), two regions that expect to experience a magnitude 9.0 megaquake. Analysis of the survey data using an ordered response probit model found that the strength of social ties and levels of social trust strongly influence willingness to share in both regions. Differences between the Japanese and American responses suggest different dependencies on and roles for government agencies in the two societies, as well as differences in the types of resources that community members are willing to share, and with whom. Trust emerges as the most important factor across both study regions and for all resources. Willingness to share may be enhanced through trust-building interventions and should be regarded as an effective focus for preparedness efforts, especially if it is shown to be beneficial for a variety of social purposes.

Association of Perceived Neighborhood Environments With Cognitive Function in Older Adults

Kim, B., Rosenberg, D. E., Dobra, A., Barrington, W. E., Hurvitz, P. M., & Belza, B. (2023). Association of Perceived Neighborhood Environments With Cognitive Function in Older Adults. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(8), 35–41. https://doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20230707-04

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Abstract

The current study examined the associations between perceptions of the social and physical neighborhood environments and cognitive function in older adults. This cross-sectional study analyzed 821 adults aged & GE;65 years from the Adult Changes in Thought study. Perceived neighborhood attributes were measured by the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale. Cognitive function was assessed using the Cognitive Ability Screening Instrument. The associations were tested using multivariate linear regression. One point greater perceived access to public transit was associated with 0.56 points greater cognitive function score (95% confidence interval [CI] [0.25, 0.88]), and an additional one point of perceived sidewalk coverage was related to 0.22 points higher cognitive function score (95% CI [0.00, 0.45]) after controlling for sociodemographic factors. The perception of neighborhood attributes alongside physical infrastructure may play an important role in supporting older adults' cognitive function.

Keywords

Built environment; Physical-activity; Dementia; Reverse; Walking; Disease

“Moving or not?”: Factors affecting community responses to environmental disruption

Depari, Catharina D.A., & Lindell, Michael K. (2023). “Moving or not?”: Factors affecting community responses to environmental disruption. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 95, 103898.

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Abstract

Disputes between government authorities and high-risk communities about community relocation following disasters are not new. Nevertheless, there remains a limited understanding of factors affecting people's decisions about whether to relocate from a hazard zone, particularly in the Indonesian context. Through the experience of the Pelemsari community, a culturally distinct community near Mt. Merapi that once was located less than five km from the volcano crater, this article attempts to explain why the Pelemsari community differed from neighboring communities by abandoning its previous resistance to relocation after an unprecedented eruption in 2010. To explain this behavior change, the study used hermeneutic phenomenology, a methodology rooted in the people-place relationship and specifically used to unfold the meaning structures of a lived experience. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, field observations, and document reviews. The results showed that people's strong place attachment affected residents' decision to uphold unity with their neighbors, select a relocation site that is outside the hazard zone but close to the former location, and engage in collective action that pressured the government to issue legal certificates of their former homes. These results show how a deep understanding of people's place attachment can make it possible to achieve a successful community relocation.

Keywords

Post-disaster displacement; Community relocation; Place attachment; Cultural attachment; Risk perception

February 2022 Inspire Fund Awardees: Progress and Products

Five projects were awarded Inspire Fund awards in February 2022. They have completed various stages of work and have provided a report on their progress and products. Below, excerpts from these reports are highlighted to showcase the work that has been “Inspired” in 2022-23. Rick Mohler: “One Seattle: Leveraging Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan Update to advance housing diversity, affordability, livability and racial equity” This funding supported products from the Architecture 594 research seminar and Architecture 508 design studio, which tasked students…