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Chen L, Xing Y, Zhang Y, Xie J, Su B, Jiang J, Geng M, Ren X, Guo T, Yuan W, Ma Q, Chen M, Cui M, Liu J, Song Y, Wang L, Dong Y, Ma J. Long-term variations of urban-Rural disparities in infectious disease burden of over 8.44 million children, adolescents, and youth in China from 2013 to 2021: An observational study. PLoS Med 2024; 21:e1004374. [PMID: 38607981 PMCID: PMC11014433 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An accelerated epidemiological transition, spurred by economic development and urbanization, has led to a rapid transformation of the disease spectrum. However, this transition has resulted in a divergent change in the burden of infectious diseases between urban and rural areas. The objective of our study was to evaluate the long-term urban-rural disparities in infectious diseases among children, adolescents, and youths in China, while also examining the specific diseases driving these disparities. METHODS AND FINDINGS This observational study examined data on 43 notifiable infectious diseases from 8,442,956 cases from individuals aged 4 to 24 years, with 4,487,043 cases in urban areas and 3,955,913 in rural areas. The data from 2013 to 2021 were obtained from China's Notifiable Infectious Disease Surveillance System. The 43 infectious diseases were categorized into 7 categories: vaccine-preventable, bacterial, gastrointestinal and enterovirus, sexually transmitted and bloodborne, vectorborne, zoonotic, and quarantinable diseases. The calculation of infectious disease incidence was stratified by urban and rural areas. We used the index of incidence rate ratio (IRR), calculated by dividing the urban incidence rate by the rural incidence rate for each disease category, to assess the urban-rural disparity. During the nine-year study period, most notifiable infectious diseases in both urban and rural areas exhibited either a decreased or stable pattern. However, a significant and progressively widening urban-rural disparity in notifiable infectious diseases was observed. Children, adolescents, and youths in urban areas experienced a higher average yearly incidence compared to their rural counterparts, with rates of 439 per 100,000 compared to 211 per 100,000, respectively (IRR: 2.078, 95% CI [2.075, 2.081]; p < 0.001). From 2013 to 2021, this disparity was primarily driven by higher incidences of pertussis (IRR: 1.782, 95% CI [1.705, 1.862]; p < 0.001) and seasonal influenza (IRR: 3.213, 95% CI [3.205, 3.220]; p < 0.001) among vaccine-preventable diseases, tuberculosis (IRR: 1.011, 95% CI [1.006, 1.015]; p < 0.001), and scarlet fever (IRR: 2.942, 95% CI [2.918, 2.966]; p < 0.001) among bacterial diseases, infectious diarrhea (IRR: 1.932, 95% CI [1.924, 1.939]; p < 0.001), and hand, foot, and mouth disease (IRR: 2.501, 95% CI [2.491, 2.510]; p < 0.001) among gastrointestinal and enterovirus diseases, dengue (IRR: 11.952, 95% CI [11.313, 12.628]; p < 0.001) among vectorborne diseases, and 4 sexually transmitted and bloodborne diseases (syphilis: IRR 1.743, 95% CI [1.731, 1.755], p < 0.001; gonorrhea: IRR 2.658, 95% CI [2.635, 2.682], p < 0.001; HIV/AIDS: IRR 2.269, 95% CI [2.239, 2.299], p < 0.001; hepatitis C: IRR 1.540, 95% CI [1.506, 1.575], p < 0.001), but was partially offset by lower incidences of most zoonotic and quarantinable diseases in urban areas (for example, brucellosis among zoonotic: IRR 0.516, 95% CI [0.498, 0.534], p < 0.001; hemorrhagic fever among quarantinable: IRR 0.930, 95% CI [0.881, 0.981], p = 0.008). Additionally, the overall urban-rural disparity was particularly pronounced in the middle (IRR: 1.704, 95% CI [1.699, 1.708]; p < 0.001) and northeastern regions (IRR: 1.713, 95% CI [1.700, 1.726]; p < 0.001) of China. A primary limitation of our study is that the incidence was calculated based on annual average population data without accounting for population mobility. CONCLUSIONS A significant urban-rural disparity in notifiable infectious diseases among children, adolescents, and youths was evident from our study. The burden in urban areas exceeded that in rural areas by more than 2-fold, and this gap appears to be widening, particularly influenced by tuberculosis, scarlet fever, infectious diarrhea, and typhus. These findings underscore the urgent need for interventions to mitigate infectious diseases and address the growing urban-rural disparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Xing
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Junqing Xie
- Centre for Statistics in Medicine, NDORMS, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Binbin Su
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/ Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianuo Jiang
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Mengjie Geng
- Division of Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Early Warning on Infectious Disease, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Ren
- Division of Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Early Warning on Infectious Disease, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Tongjun Guo
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Yuan
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Ma
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Manman Chen
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Mengjie Cui
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Jieyu Liu
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Song
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Division of Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Early Warning on Infectious Disease, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhui Dong
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
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Kaseje N, Oruenjo K, Kaseje D, Ranganathan M, Tanner M, Haines A. The effectiveness of community health worker training, equipping, and deployment in reducing COVID-19 infections and deaths in rural Western Kenya: A comparison of two counties. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0003036. [PMID: 38527065 PMCID: PMC10962846 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
COVID-19 and other pandemics remain significant threats to population health, particularly in rural settings where health systems are disproportionately weak. There is a lack of evidence on whether trained, equipped, and deployed community health workers (CHWs) can lead to significant reductions in COVID-19 infections and deaths. Our objective was to measure the effectiveness of deploying trained and equipped CHWs in reducing COVID-19 infections and deaths by comparing outcomes in two counties in rural Western Kenya, a setting with limited critical care capacity and limited access to COVID-19 vaccines and oral COVID-19 antivirals. In Siaya, trained CHWs equipped with thermometers, pulse oximeters, and KN95 masks, visited households to convey health information about COVID-19 prevention. They screened, isolated, and referred COVID-19 cases to facilities with oxygen capacity. They measured and digitally recorded vital signs at the household level. In Kisii county, the standard Kenya national COVID-19 protocol was implemented. We performed a comparative analysis of differences in CHW skills, activity, and COVID-19 infections and deaths using district health information system (DHIS2) data. Trained Siaya CHWs were more skilled in using pulse oximeters and digitally reporting vital signs at the household level. The mean number of oxygen saturation measurements conducted in Siaya was 24.19 per COVID-19 infection; and the mean number of temperature measurements per COVID-19 infection was 17.08. Siaya CHWs conducted significantly more household visits than Kisii CHWs (the mean monthly CHW household visits in Siaya was 146,648.5, standard deviation 11,066.5 versus 42,644.5 in Kisii, standard deviation 899.5, p value = 0.01). Deploying trained and equipped CHWs in rural Western Kenya was associated with lower risk ratios for COVID-19 infections and deaths: 0.54, 95% CI [0.48-0.61] and 0.29, CI [0.13-0.65], respectively, consistent with a beneficial effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neema Kaseje
- Surgical Systems Research Group, Kisumu, Kenya
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Dan Kaseje
- Tropical Institute of Community Health, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Marcel Tanner
- Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andy Haines
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Yang Z, Li J, Li Y, Huang X, Zhang A, Lu Y, Zhao X, Yang X. The impact of urban spatial environment on COVID-19: a case study in Beijing. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1287999. [PMID: 38259769 PMCID: PMC10800729 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1287999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Epidemics are dangerous and difficult to prevent and control, especially in urban areas. Clarifying the correlation between the COVID-19 Outbreak Frequency and the urban spatial environment may help improve cities' ability to respond to such public health emergencies. In this study, we firstly analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics of COVID-19 Outbreak Frequency by correlating the geographic locations of COVID-19 epidemic-affected neighborhoods in the city of Beijing with the time point of onset. Secondly, we created a geographically weighted regression model combining the COVID-19 Outbreak Frequency with the external spatial environmental elements of the city. Thirdly, different grades of epidemic-affected neighborhoods in the study area were classified according to the clustering analysis results. Finally, the correlation between the COVID-19 Outbreak Frequency and the internal spatial environmental elements of different grades of neighborhoods was investigated using a binomial logistic regression model. The study yielded the following results. (i) Epidemic outbreak frequency was evidently correlated with the urban external spatial environment, among building density, volume ratio, density of commercial facilities, density of service facilities, and density of transportation facilities were positively correlated with COVID-19 Outbreak Frequency, while water and greenery coverage was negatively correlated with it. (ii) The correlation between COVID-19 Outbreak Frequency and the internal spatial environmental elements of neighborhoods of different grades differed. House price and the number of households were positively correlated with the COVID-19 Outbreak Frequency in low-end neighborhoods, while the number of households was positively correlated with the COVID-19 Outbreak Frequency in mid-end neighborhoods. In order to achieve spatial justice, society should strive to address the inequality phenomena of income gaps and residential differentiation, and promote fair distribution of spatial environments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yu Li
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, China
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Petrovici N, Belbe SȘ, Mare CC, Cotoi CC. Hybrid health regimes: Access to primary care physicians and COVID-19 vaccine uptake across municipalities in Romania. Soc Sci Med 2023; 337:116305. [PMID: 37857237 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
This study analyses COVID-19 vaccine uptake at the municipal level in Romania using the global health regimes and vaccine hesitancy perspectives. Our spatial regression (SARAR-het Durbin) shows that the number of primary care physicians is a significant predictor of vaccine uptake, and municipalities with higher access to the labour market have higher vaccination rates. We provide a historical perspective to demonstrate that the current health regime in Romania is a hybrid of internationalist and global health regimes, with socialist investments affecting labour participation, education, poverty, and vaccination rates. Our findings highlight the impact of regional disparities and partial privatization of the health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Petrovici
- Dep. of Sociology, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Babes-Bolyai University, 1, Anghel Saligny, 400394, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Interdisciplinary Centre for Data Science, Babes-Bolyai University, 68, Avram Iancu Str., 400083, 4th Floor, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Stefana Ștefana Belbe
- Dep. of Statistics, Forecasts, Mathematics, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Babes-Bolyai University, 58-60, Teodor Mihali Str., 400591, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Interdisciplinary Centre for Data Science, Babes-Bolyai University, 68, Avram Iancu Str., 400083, 4th Floor, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Codruta Codruța Mare
- Dep. of Statistics, Forecasts, Mathematics, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Babes-Bolyai University, 58-60, Teodor Mihali Str., 400591, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Interdisciplinary Centre for Data Science, Babes-Bolyai University, 68, Avram Iancu Str., 400083, 4th Floor, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Calin Călin Cotoi
- Dep. of Sociology, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest, 9, Schitu Magureanu Blv., Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania.
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Bin Sulaiman F. Compact City: What Is the Extent of Our Exploration for Its Meanings? A Systematic Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2023; 15:10302. [DOI: 10.3390/su151310302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The compact city has garnered significant attention from researchers in academia, particularly in recent years, due to its relevance to various global challenges, such as climate change, COVID-19, economic crises, and urbanization. Given the vast knowledge represented in the compact city literature and its diverse perspectives, this study aims is a comprehensive literature review through bibliometric analysis. Following the PRISMA protocol, a total of 570 articles from the Scopus database published in English between 1973 and 2022 underwent screening at two main levels of bibliometric analysis: performance analysis and science mapping. The findings of this study reveal a substantial increase in scientific production related to the compact city over the years. Furthermore, the concept of the compact city encompasses multiple dimensions, with a significant emphasis on the urban dimension. Remarkably, Asian countries (regions), particularly mainland China and China-Hong Kong, demonstrate a notable interest in the compact city concept. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the scientific production of compact city literature, highlighting its growth, multidimensionality, and geographic focus, which can inform future research and policymaking efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Bin Sulaiman
- Department of Architecture and Building Science, College of Architecture and Planning, King Saud University, Riyadh 11574, Saudi Arabia
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Giles-Corti B, Foster S, Lynch B, Lowe M. What are the lessons from COVID-19 for creating healthy, sustainable, resilient future cities? NPJ URBAN SUSTAINABILITY 2023; 3:29. [PMID: 37305613 PMCID: PMC10236403 DOI: 10.1038/s42949-023-00107-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives and the economy, reminding the global community of the devastating health and economic impacts of uncontrolled infectious disease. It has affected how and where people live, work, shop, and play, and exposed our cities' vulnerabilities, leading to calls for a health lens to be applied in designing, approving, and evaluating city plans. Socioeconomic, spatial and health inequities have been amplified, particularly for those living in inadequate or poorly designed housing, neighbourhoods, and cities. Hence, city mayors have committed to 'build back better' with all daily living amenities within a 15-min walking or cycling trip. Designed well, these cities have the potential to be healthier, more sustainable, equitable, and resilient. Yet their delivery requires a rethink of city planning. Drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, we argue that to reduce the risk of future pandemics, we must mitigate climate change, limit urban expansion, and use nature-based solutions to protect natural habitats and biodiversity. We then explore how healthy, sustainable, and resilient 15-minute cities could be planned to reduce emissions and ensure our cities are more resilient in the event of future crises. Given that higher density housing underpins the success of 15-minute cities, we also examine how to create more resilient housing stock, through well-implemented health-supportive apartment design standards. Finally, we argue that to achieve all this, cross-sector leadership and investment will be vital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Billie Giles-Corti
- Healthy Liveable Cities Lab, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Sarah Foster
- Healthy Liveable Cities Lab, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Bella Lynch
- Healthy Liveable Cities Lab, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Melanie Lowe
- Healthy Liveable Cities Lab, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
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Pitayarangsarit S, Bhagaman N, Yodmai K, Thangsirikul N, Tipayamongkholgul M. The resiliency of noncommunicable diseases services during the public health crisis: a lesson from Bangkok, Thailand. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:409. [PMID: 37101168 PMCID: PMC10132400 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09400-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The healthcare services for non-communicable diseases (NCD) are commonly affected by public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, all healthcare facilities in Bangkok had been overwhelmed by the extreme caseload of COVID-19. Health service resiliency is crucial for the continued service of healthcare facilities post pandemic. This study aims to explore the impacts of COVID-19 on NCD service disruption and addressed the resilience of healthcare services at the operational level. METHODS Healthcare facility-based surveys and in-depth interviews were conducted among representatives of the facilities in Bangkok from April 2021 to July 2021. The web-based, self-administered questionnaire, was sent to directors or authorities of all healthcare facilities in Bangkok Thailand (n = 169). Two healthcare facilities from three levels of health services were purposively selected. The directors or medical doctors and nurses who are in charge of the NCD service, and working at the six selected health facilities, were invited to participate in the in-depth interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey data, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data from the in-depth interviews. RESULTS The impact of COVID-19 on NCD service disruption in the second wave (2021) was more severe than in the first wave (2020). The main reasons for NCD service disruptions are insufficient staff, and the closure of some services offered by the healthcare facilities. Surprisingly, both the budget and medical supply for healthcare facilities in Bangkok are less affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study revealed resilience capability i.e. absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capabilityamong the healthcare facilities that provide a continuum of care by increasing availability and accessibility to healthcare services for chronic illness as DM. The service disruption in Bangkok may alter from other provinces because of variations in COVID-19 incidence and health services contexts. CONCLUSION During the public health crisis, using affordable and common digital technologies to ensure DM patients can access a continuum of care and providing alternative services such as mobile medical laboratories, medication delivery, and medical refill at drug stores can increase consistent monitoring of glycemic levels and use of prescribed medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siriwan Pitayarangsarit
- Division of Non-communicable Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Nanapas Bhagaman
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Korravarn Yodmai
- Department of Family Health, Faculty of Public Health, Korravarn Yodmai, Mahidol University, 420/1 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Nattaya Thangsirikul
- Division of Non-communicable Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Mathuros Tipayamongkholgul
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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Song Q, Dou Z, Qiu W, Li W, Wang J, van Ameijde J, Luo D. The evaluation of urban spatial quality and utility trade-offs for Post-COVID working preferences: a case study of Hong Kong. ARCHITECTURAL INTELLIGENCE 2023; 2:1. [PMID: 36721494 PMCID: PMC9880930 DOI: 10.1007/s44223-022-00020-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The formation of urban districts and the appeal of densely populated areas reflect a spatial equilibrium in which workers migrate to locations with greater urban vitality but diminished environmental qualities. However, the pandemic and associated health concerns have accelerated remote and hybrid work modes, altered people's sense of place and appreciation of urban density, and transformed perceptions of desirable places to live and work. This study presents a systematic method for evaluating the trade-offs between perceived urban environmental qualities and urban amenities by analysing post-pandemic urban residence preferences. By evaluating neighbourhood Street View Imagery (SVI) and urban amenity data, such as park sizes, the study collects subjective opinions from surveys on two working conditions (work-from-office or from-home). On this basis, several Machine Learning (ML) models were trained to predict the preference scores for both work modes. In light of the complexity of work-from-home preferences, the results demonstrate that the method predicts work-from-office scores with greater precision. In the post-pandemic era, the research aims to shed light on the development of a valuable instrument for driving and evaluating urban design strategies based on the potential self-organisation of work-life patterns and social profiles in designated neighbourhoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Song
- grid.435329.a0000 0004 0532 3378Arcadis IBI Group, Toronto, Canada
| | - Zhiyi Dou
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Geographic Information Science, University of Queensland, St.Lucia, Australia
| | - Waishan Qiu
- grid.5386.8000000041936877XDepartment of City and Regional Planning, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA
| | - Wenjing Li
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XCenter for Spatial Information Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jingsong Wang
- grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jeroen van Ameijde
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Dan Luo
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537School of Architecture, University of Queensland, St.Lucia, Australia
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Hejazi SJ, Arvin M, Sharifi A, Lak A. Measuring the effects of Compactness/Sprawl on COVID 19 spread patterns at the neighborhood level. CITIES (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 132:104075. [PMID: 36340285 PMCID: PMC9622387 DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2022.104075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
This study analyzes the compactness/sprawl index and its effects on the spread of COVID-19 in the neighborhoods of Ahvaz, Iran. Multiple Criteria Decision Making and GIS techniques were used to develop the index. Also, the effects of compactness/sprawl on COVID-19 were investigated using a regression model. It was found that when considering the number of COVID-19 cases per 1000 people, the compactness/sprawl index did not affect the spread of the disease. However, it had a low but significant effect if the raw number of cases was considered. Results also showed that the compactness index significantly affected the raw number of cases, with a coefficient of 0.291, indicating that more compact neighborhoods had more COVID-19 cases. This is unsurprising as more people live in compact areas and, therefore, the raw number of cases is also likely to be higher. In the absence of proper control measures, this could result in further contact between people, thereby, increasing the risk of virus spread. Overall, we found that compactness had a dual effect on the spread of COVID-19 in Ahvaz. We conclude that proper development and implementation of control measures in well-designed compact neighborhoods are essential for enhancing pandemic resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Jafar Hejazi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Arvin
- Department of Human Geography, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Iran
| | - Ayyoob Sharifi
- Hiroshima University, The IDEC Institute and Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), Japan
| | - Azadeh Lak
- Department of Planning and Urban Design, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
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Effects of housing environments on COVID-19 transmission and mental health revealed by COVID-19 Participant Experience data from the All of Us Research Program in the USA: a case-control study. BMJ Open 2022. [PMID: 36535714 DOI: 10.1101/2022.04.05.22273358v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the association between housing types and COVID-19 infection (or mental health) during the early stages of the pandemic by using the large-scale individual-level All of Us Research Program COVID-19 Participant Experience (COPE) survey data. We hypothesise that housing types with a shared component are associated with elevated COVID-19 infection and subsequent mental health conditions. DESIGN A retrospective case-control study. SETTING Secondary analysis of online surveys conducted in the USA. PARTICIPANTS 62 664 participant responses to COPE from May to July 2020. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome measure is the self-reported COVID-19 status, and the secondary outcome measures are anxiety or stress. Both measures were applied for matched cases and controls of the same race, sex, age group and survey version. RESULTS A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that housing types with a shared component are significantly associated with COVID-19 infection (OR=1.19, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3; p=2×10-4), anxiety (OR=1.26, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.4; p=1.1×10-6) and stress (OR=1.29, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.4; p=4.3×10-10) as compared with free-standing houses, after adjusting for confounding factors. Further, frequent optional shopping or outing trips, another indicator of the built environment, are also associated with COVID-19 infection (OR=1.36, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8; p=0.02), but not associated with elevated mental health conditions. Confounding factors are controlled in the analysis such as ethnicity, age, social distancing behaviour and house occupancy. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that houses with a shared component tend to have an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission, which consequently leads to high levels of anxiety and stress for their dwellers. The study also suggests the necessity to improve the quality of the built environment such as residential housing and its surroundings through planning, design and management, ensuring a more resilient society that can cope with future pandemics.
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Luo W, Baldwin E, Jiang AY, Li S, Yang B, Li H. Effects of housing environments on COVID-19 transmission and mental health revealed by COVID-19 Participant Experience data from the All of Us Research Program in the USA: a case-control study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e063714. [PMID: 36535714 PMCID: PMC9764101 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the association between housing types and COVID-19 infection (or mental health) during the early stages of the pandemic by using the large-scale individual-level All of Us Research Program COVID-19 Participant Experience (COPE) survey data. We hypothesise that housing types with a shared component are associated with elevated COVID-19 infection and subsequent mental health conditions. DESIGN A retrospective case-control study. SETTING Secondary analysis of online surveys conducted in the USA. PARTICIPANTS 62 664 participant responses to COPE from May to July 2020. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome measure is the self-reported COVID-19 status, and the secondary outcome measures are anxiety or stress. Both measures were applied for matched cases and controls of the same race, sex, age group and survey version. RESULTS A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that housing types with a shared component are significantly associated with COVID-19 infection (OR=1.19, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3; p=2×10-4), anxiety (OR=1.26, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.4; p=1.1×10-6) and stress (OR=1.29, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.4; p=4.3×10-10) as compared with free-standing houses, after adjusting for confounding factors. Further, frequent optional shopping or outing trips, another indicator of the built environment, are also associated with COVID-19 infection (OR=1.36, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8; p=0.02), but not associated with elevated mental health conditions. Confounding factors are controlled in the analysis such as ethnicity, age, social distancing behaviour and house occupancy. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that houses with a shared component tend to have an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission, which consequently leads to high levels of anxiety and stress for their dwellers. The study also suggests the necessity to improve the quality of the built environment such as residential housing and its surroundings through planning, design and management, ensuring a more resilient society that can cope with future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Luo
- Biosystems Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Mathematics, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Edwin Baldwin
- Biosystems Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Anna Yi Jiang
- Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Shujuan Li
- School of Landscape Architecture and Planning, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Bo Yang
- School of Landscape Architecture and Planning, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Haiquan Li
- Biosystems Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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