 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Neil Korostoff, MLA, Department of Landscape Architecture, The Pennsylvania State University, Room 210 Engineering Unit D, University Park, PA 16802, 814-863-8134, npk1@psu.edu
Depression is the most common emotional disorder in America. Theories about depression ascribe varied importance to genetics, neurophysiology, social support networks, and other factors. The role of the physical environment is less often considered. While there is a positive correlation between poor, urban minority populations and the incidence of depression, does the urban physical environment, so-called “urban blight”, contribute significantly to this effect? One salient attribute of blighted neighborhoods is the lack of street trees and other urban greenery. Can these living components of the urban environment be correlated with the incidence of depression in poor, minority populations? Results may help to inform mental health and urban planning policy decisions. Current research in urban forestry by the USDA and American Forests documents the nature and extent of street trees, and forested parks in six urban areas in the U.S. Based upon remote sensing data (satellite and aerial photography) these studies record information in geographic information systems (G.I.S.) format. U.S. Census data will be used to determine the location and concentration of poor minority populations in these urban areas. State, federal, and local mental health data will reveal the incidence of depression for those populations in each urban area. Analyzed with the urban forestry data, the study will reveal correlations, if any, between urban forests and the incidence of depression in poor, minority populations. Methods, conclusions, and further research will be discussed. Participants will gain knowledge about the influence of physical design upon the epidemiology of depression in urban minority populations.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Depression, Geographic Information Systems
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.