Author
Angel M. Dzhambov
Other affiliations: Graz University of Technology
Bio: Angel M. Dzhambov is an academic researcher from Medical University Plovdiv. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Medicine. The author has an hindex of 21, co-authored 76 publications receiving 1945 citations. Previous affiliations of Angel M. Dzhambov include Graz University of Technology.
Topics: Population, Medicine, Mental health, Meta-analysis, Traffic noise
Papers
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Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich1, Uppsala University2, Tel Aviv University3, Oregon State University4, Medical University Plovdiv5, Wageningen University and Research Centre6, Pompeu Fabra University7, University of British Columbia8, Technische Universität München9, University of Edinburgh10, University of Wollongong11
TL;DR: In this article, potential pathways linking greenspace to health are presented in three domains, which emphasize three general functions of greenspace: reducing harm (e.g., reducing exposure to air pollution, noise and heat), restoring capacities (i.e., attention restoration and physiological stress recovery), and encouraging physical activity and facilitating social cohesion). Interrelations between among the three domains are also noted.
1,187 citations
TL;DR: Tests of the serial mediation models showed that higher restorative quality was associated with more physical activity and more social cohesion, and in turn with better mental health, which should adequately address the theoretically indicated interdependencies between mechanisms underlying association between greenspace and mental health.
182 citations
TL;DR: Moderate evidence that the presence of vegetation can generally reduce the negative perception of noise and could help researchers further clarify the proper implementation of urban green spaces as a psychological buffer in areas with population exposed to chronic noise pollution.
Abstract: Noise pollution is one of the four major pollutions in the world. Little evidence exists about the actual preventive benefits of psychological noise attenuation by urban green spaces, especially from the perspective of environmental medicine and, to the best of our knowledge, there is not a systematic analysis on this topic. The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate whether there is conclusive scientific evidence for the effectiveness of urban green spaces as a psychological buffer for the negative impact of noise pollution on human health and to promote an evidence-based approach toward this still growing environmental hazard. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for experimental and epidemiological studies published before June 04, 2013 in English and Spanish. Data was independently extracted in two step process by the authors. Due to the heterogeneity of the included studies qualitative assessment was performed. We found moderate evidence that the presence of vegetation can generally reduce the negative perception of noise (supported with an electroencephalogram test in one of the experimental studies; consistent with the data from two epidemiological studies; one experiment found no effect and one was inconclusive about the positive effect). This review fills a gap in the literature and could help researchers further clarify the proper implementation of urban green spaces as a psychological buffer in areas with population exposed to chronic noise pollution.
148 citations
TL;DR: Students who spent most of their time at home during the COVID-19 epidemic experienced better mental health when exposed to more greenery, and the mental health-supportive effects of indoor greenery were largely explained by increased feelings of being away while at home.
134 citations
TL;DR: Evidence is found that having more greenspace near the residence supported mental health through several indirect pathways with serial components, and bluespace was not clearly associated with mental health.
133 citations
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TL;DR: The prevalence and absolute burden of hypertension is rising globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Abstract: Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide. Owing to the widespread use of antihypertensive medications, global mean blood pressure (BP) has remained constant or has decreased slightly over the past four decades. By contrast, the prevalence of hypertension has increased, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Estimates suggest that 31.1% of adults (1.39 billion) worldwide had hypertension in 2010. The prevalence of hypertension among adults was higher in LMICs (31.5%, 1.04 billion people) than in high-income countries (28.5%, 349 million people). Variations in the levels of risk factors for hypertension, such as high sodium intake, low potassium intake, obesity, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet, may explain some of the regional heterogeneity in hypertension prevalence. Despite the increasing prevalence, the proportions of hypertension awareness, treatment and BP control are low, particularly in LMICs, and few comprehensive assessments of the economic impact of hypertension exist. Future studies are warranted to test implementation strategies for hypertension prevention and control, especially in low-income populations, and to accurately assess the prevalence and financial burden of hypertension worldwide. Hypertension is the leading global cause of cardiovascular disease and premature mortality. In this Review, the authors describe the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension worldwide, as well as risk factors for hypertension and the financial burden of this disease.
1,219 citations
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich1, Uppsala University2, Tel Aviv University3, Oregon State University4, Medical University Plovdiv5, Wageningen University and Research Centre6, Pompeu Fabra University7, University of British Columbia8, Technische Universität München9, University of Edinburgh10, University of Wollongong11
TL;DR: In this article, potential pathways linking greenspace to health are presented in three domains, which emphasize three general functions of greenspace: reducing harm (e.g., reducing exposure to air pollution, noise and heat), restoring capacities (i.e., attention restoration and physiological stress recovery), and encouraging physical activity and facilitating social cohesion). Interrelations between among the three domains are also noted.
1,187 citations
University College London1, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis2, University of Reading3, United Nations University4, University of London5, University of Colorado Boulder6, Umeå University7, Tsinghua University8, World Health Organization9, Cardiff University10, University of Geneva11, University of New England (United States)12, University of Birmingham13, Yale University14, University of Washington15, Northeastern University16, Virginia Tech17, University of Oxford18, University of York19, International Livestock Research Institute20, Cayetano Heredia University21, Harvard University22, Boston University23, University of Sussex24, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology25, Emory University26, Columbia University27, Autonomous University of Barcelona28, Technische Universität München29, University of Melbourne30, Iran University of Medical Sciences31, University of Exeter32, Imperial College London33, University of Sheffield34, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control35, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu36, University of Santiago de Compostela37
TL;DR: TRANSLATIONS For the Chinese, French, German, and Spanish translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
886 citations
TL;DR: Greenspace exposure is associated with wide ranging health benefits across 143 included studies, and meta‐analysis showed statistically significant reductions in diastolic blood pressure, salivary cortisol and heart rate.
776 citations
Stanford University1, University of Chicago2, Willamette University3, Wageningen University and Research Centre4, Bat Conservation International5, University of Bristol6, Stockholm Resilience Centre7, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences8, University of Washington9, Wellcome Trust10, Uppsala University11, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign12, The Nature Conservancy13, Heidelberg University14, University of Glasgow15, Chinese Academy of Sciences16, University of Virginia17, University of British Columbia18, University of Exeter19
TL;DR: It is shown how ecosystem service assessments can be expanded to include mental health, and a heuristic, conceptual model for doing so is provided.
Abstract: A growing body of empirical evidence is revealing the value of nature experience for mental health. With rapid urbanization and declines in human contact with nature globally, crucial decisions must be made about how to preserve and enhance opportunities for nature experience. Here, we first provide points of consensus across the natural, social, and health sciences on the impacts of nature experience on cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and other dimensions of mental health. We then show how ecosystem service assessments can be expanded to include mental health, and provide a heuristic, conceptual model for doing so.
736 citations