Closer Greenspace Less Likelihood of Postpartum Depression

Sun and colleagues found that “A reduced risk for PPD [postpartum depression was associated with total green space exposure based on street-view measure [500 m buffer. . .], but not NDVI [normalized difference vegetation index], land-cover greenness, or proximity to a park. Compared to other types of green space, tree coverage showed stronger protective effects. . . . Street view-based green space and tree coverage were associated with a decreased risk of PPD. The observed association was primarily due to increased tree coverage, rather than low-lying vegetation or grass.”

Yi Sun, John Molitor, Tarik Benmarhnia, Chantal Avila, Vicki Chiu, Jeff Slezak, David Sacks, JiupChiuan Chen, Darios Getahun, and Jun Wu. “Association Between Urban Green Space and Postpartum Depression, and the Role of Physical Activity:  A Retrospective Cohort Study in Southern California.”  The Lancet Regional Health-Americas, in press, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lana.2023.100462