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General health and residential proximity to the coast in Belgium: results from a cross-sectional health survey
Hooyberg, A.; Roose, H.; Grellier, J.; Elliott, L.R.; Lonneville, B.; White, M.P.; Michels, N.; De Henauw, S.; Vandegehuchte, M.; Everaert, G. (2020). General health and residential proximity to the coast in Belgium: results from a cross-sectional health survey. Environ. Res. 184: 109225. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.109225
In: Environmental Research. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISSN 0013-9351; e-ISSN 1096-0953
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Non-open access 342288 [ request ]
Keywords
    Health > Mental health
    Pollution > Air pollution
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Blue space; Mental health; Physical activity; Social interactions; Air pollution
Project Top | Authors 
  • Blue health along the Belgian coast: Effect of living by the coast on human health and wellbeing
Authors  Top 
  • Hooyberg, A.
  • Roose, H.
  • Grellier, J.
  • Elliott, L.R.
  • Lonneville, B.
  • White, M.P.
  • Michels, N.
  • De Henauw, S.
  • Vandegehuchte, M.
  • Everaert, G.
Abstract
    The health risks of coastal areas have long been researched, but the potential benefits for health are only recently being explored. The present study compared the general health of Belgian citizens a) according to the EU's definition of coastal (<50 km) vs. inland (>50 km), and b) between eight more refined categories of residential proximity to the coast (<5 km to >250 km). Data was drawn from the Belgian Health Interview Survey (n = 60,939) and investigated using linear regression models and mediation analyses on several hypothesized mechanisms. Results indicated that populations living <5 km of the coast reported better general health than populations living at >50–100 km. Four commonly hypothesized mechanisms were considered but no indirect associations were found: scores for mental health, physical activity levels and social contacts were not higher at 0–5 km from the coast, and air pollution (PM10 concentrations) was lower at 0–5 km from the coast but not statistically associated with better health. Results are controlled for typical variables such as age, sex, income, neighbourhood levels of green and freshwater blue space, etc. The spatial urban-rural-nature mosaic at the Belgian coast and alternative explanations are discussed. The positive associations between oceans and human health observed in this study encourage policy makers to manage coastal areas sustainably to maintain associated public health benefits into the future.
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