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Urban parks and public health: A multi-scale assessment of park and Covid-19 dynamics on public health in the US

Author

Listed:
  • Mahran, Mahran Gamal N.
  • Han, Haoying
  • Mabrouk, Mahmoud
  • AbouKorin, Salma Antar A.

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, urban parks emerged as vital public spaces, experiencing surges in visitation as people sought safe environments for physical and mental relief. While many other social infrastructures faced sharp declines due to gathering restrictions, parks played a crucial role in supporting public health during this time of heightened need. In such a context, where public health was already under immense strain, ensuring access to health-promoting environments without introducing further risks became especially critical. This study adopts a multiscale approach, analyzing data at both state and city levels to assess how urban park dynamics influenced public health outcomes. By integrating visitation patterns, park design characteristics, policy interventions, and demographic variables, the research captures a comprehensive picture of parks’ role on public health during the critical period from 2020 to 2022, when reliance on local parks rose during lockdown and reopening phases, with park visitation accounting for 41 %, 24 %, and 19 % of the variation in physical, mental, and chronic health outcomes across U.S. states. A key contribution lies in its focus on specific park design features and the thresholds at which they produce measurable improvements in reported health. Of all park design factors, park accessibility emerged as the strongest predictor, showing robust associations with lower rates of obesity, diabetes, and coronary heart disease. These effects became particularly pronounced after accessibility surpassed thresholds of 95 %, 60 %, and 71 %, respectively, explaining 44 %, 28 %, and 14 % of variance in those health outcomes. These results underscore the importance of urban parks not only for public health in general but also as a critical asset during times of crisis, such as pandemics. They highlight the need for both immediate and long-term urban planning to ensure equitable, resilient access to parks, supporting public health without compounding existing vulnerabilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Mahran, Mahran Gamal N. & Han, Haoying & Mabrouk, Mahmoud & AbouKorin, Salma Antar A., 2026. "Urban parks and public health: A multi-scale assessment of park and Covid-19 dynamics on public health in the US," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 389(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:389:y:2026:i:c:s0277953625011608
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118829
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