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Beneficial Use Impairments, Degradation of Aesthetics, and Human Health: A Review

Author

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  • Erik D. Slawsky

    (Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Student Services Contractor at US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA)

  • Joel C. Hoffman

    (Center for Computational Toxicology & Exposure, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN 55804, USA)

  • Kristen N. Cowan

    (Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
    Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA)

  • Kristen M. Rappazzo

    (Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA)

Abstract

In environmental programs and blue/green space development, improving aesthetics is a common goal. There is broad interest in understanding the relationship between ecologically sound environments that people find aesthetically pleasing and human health. However, to date, few studies have adequately assessed this relationship, and no summaries or reviews of this line of research exist. Therefore, we undertook a systematic literature review to determine the state of science and identify critical needs to advance the field. Keywords identified from both aesthetics and loss of habitat literature were searched in PubMed and Web of Science databases. After full text screening, 19 studies were included in the review. Most of these studies examined some measure of greenspace/bluespace, primarily proximity. Only one study investigated the impacts of making space quality changes on a health metric. The studies identified for this review continue to support links between green space and various metrics of health, with additional evidence for blue space benefits on health. No studies to date adequately address questions surrounding the beneficial use impairment degradation of aesthetics and how improving either environmental quality (remediation) or ecological health (restoration) efforts have impacted the health of those communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Erik D. Slawsky & Joel C. Hoffman & Kristen N. Cowan & Kristen M. Rappazzo, 2022. "Beneficial Use Impairments, Degradation of Aesthetics, and Human Health: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6090-:d:817738
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kirsten M. M. Beyer & Andrea Kaltenbach & Aniko Szabo & Sandra Bogar & F. Javier Nieto & Kristen M. Malecki, 2014. "Exposure to Neighborhood Green Space and Mental Health: Evidence from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Claudia Campanale & Carmine Massarelli & Ilaria Savino & Vito Locaputo & Vito Felice Uricchio, 2020. "A Detailed Review Study on Potential Effects of Microplastics and Additives of Concern on Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-26, February.
    3. Jason P. Julian & Graham S. Daly & Russell C. Weaver, 2018. "University Students’ Social Demand of a Blue Space and the Influence of Life Experiences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-30, September.
    4. Raf Aerts & Benoit Nemery & Mariska Bauwelinck & Sonia Trabelsi & Patrick Deboosere & e.a., 2020. "Residential green space, air pollution, socioeconomic deprivation and cardiovascular medication sales in Belgium : a nationwide ecological study," LIDAM Reprints CORE 3072, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    5. Chensong Lin & Longfeng Wu, 2021. "Green and Blue Space Availability and Self-Rated Health among Seniors in China: Evidence from a National Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-18, January.
    6. Zheng Tan & Kevin Ka-Lun Lau & Adam Charles Roberts & Stessa Tzu-Yuan Chao & Edward Ng, 2019. "Designing Urban Green Spaces for Older Adults in Asian Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-23, November.
    7. Hsiao-Lan Liu & Yu-Sheng Shen, 2014. "The Impact of Green Space Changes on Air Pollution and Microclimates: A Case Study of the Taipei Metropolitan Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(12), pages 1-29, December.
    8. Tian Gao & Ling Zhu & Tian Zhang & Rui Song & Yuanqun Zhang & Ling Qiu, 2019. "Is an Environment with High Biodiversity the Most Attractive for Human Recreation? A Case Study in Baoji, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-20, July.
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