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  1. Multiple health benefits of urban tree canopy: The mounting evidence for a green prescription

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    Author(s): Jared M. Ulmer; Kathleen L. Wolf; Desiree R. Backman; Raymond L. Tretheway; Cynthia JA Blain; Jarlath PM O’Neil-Dunne; Lawrence D. Frank
    Date: 2016
    Source: Health & Place. 2016. 42: 54-62.
    Publication Series: Scientific Journal (JRNL)
    Station: Pacific Northwest Research Station
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2016.08.011
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    Description

    The purpose of this study was to enhance the understanding of the health-promoting potential of trees in an urbanized region of the United States. This was done using high-resolution LiDAR and imagery data to quantify tree cover within 250 m of the residence of 7910 adult participants in the California Health Interview Survey, then testing for main and mediating associations between tree cover and multiple health measures. The results indicated that more neighborhood tree cover, independent from green space access, was related to better overall health, primarily mediated by lower overweight/obesity and better social cohesion, and to a lesser extent by less type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma. These findings suggest an important role for trees and nature in improving holistic population health in urban areas

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    Citation

    Ulmer, Jared M.; Wolf, Kathleen L.; Backman, Desiree R.; Tretheway, Raymond L.; Blain, Cynthia JA; O’Neil-Dunne, Jarlath PM; Frank, Lawrence D. 2016. Multiple health benefits of urban tree canopy: The mounting evidence for a green prescription. Health & Place. 42: 54-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2016.08.011.

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    Keywords

    Tree canopy, urban forest, built environment, general health, obesity, psychosocial

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https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/54105