Tackling health inequalities through green/blue infrastructure

Research question What are the population-scale health inequalities impacts of applying a 'proportionate universalism' approach to green/blue infrastructure policy and management scenarios?

Background Green/blue infrastructure - natural features including parks, street trees and waterways - can impact population health positively through multiple use-dependent (e.g. physical activity, stress recovery) and use-independent (e.g. mitigating excess urban heat) pathways.

The evidence base on these relationships has been growing, and while lacking robustness in some areas, has started to inform policies, such as the recent Green Infrastructure Standards for England.

There is also evidence linking inequalities in the socio-spatial distribution of green/blue infrastructure and health inequalities; firstly that green/blue infrastructure may actually serve to ameliorate health inequalities to some extent, but secondly that there are significant social inequalities in the distribution of green/blue infrastructure.

Aim The aim of the research is to evaluate how green/blue infrastructure interventions might tackle health inequalities at population scale.

It will examine the socio-spatial distribution of green/blue infrastructure and how related policy and intervention on planning, managing and investing in this infrastructure can impact positively on health inequalities, specifically through application of a 'proportionate universalism' approach (universal intervention, but with a degree of targeting proportionate to need).

Methods Work Package (WP) 1 will develop Causal Loop Diagrams, visual representations of our understanding of the complex relationships between different facets of green/blue infrastructure and socio-spatial health inequalities.

These will be co-produced based on rapid evidence review combined with working with collaborators from public health and environment authorities and with public involvement.

WP1 will also work with collaborators and public partners to prioritise potential policies and interventions to be evaluated.

WP2 will link and analyse large-scale spatial data (such as Census, population health and green space mapping) along with survey data on engagement with natural environments.

It will explore empirically the relationships theorised in WP1, at national scale and for specific local authority area studies, and with reference to prioritised interventions.

WP3 will then use ecosystem service and spatial microsimulation modelling approaches to evaluate the potential population-scale health inequalities impacts of green/blue infrastructure policy and intervention scenarios. Timelines A five-year fellowship programme, with the three Work Packages building on each other sequentially.

Anticipated impact and dissemination The research will be used to influence tools and policies (such as Local Plans) to try to ensure that green/blue infrastructure interventions are designed to mitigate, rather than exacerbate, health inequalities.

Dissemination via conferences and peer-reviewed journals will be augmented by translation through blog posts, short films, public engagement events, and co-organised dissemination events with the Town and Country Planning Association (a key collaborator with an established network of relevant planning, health and green infrastructure professionals).

Translational materials will be co-produced with collaborators, including local and national environment and public health authorities, and with public involvement.

We will offer a 'researcher in residence' programme to deliver bespoke, locally-focussed research outputs directly with and for collaborator organisations.