Association of Redlining and Natural Environment with Depressive Symptoms in Women in the Sister Study
Wei-Lun Tsai, Maliha S. Nash, Daniel J. Rosenbaum, Steven E. Prince, Aimee A. D’Aloisio, Megan Mehaffey, Dale P. Sandler, Timothy J. Buckley, Anne Neale
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Improving mental health is recognized as an important factor for achieving global development goals. Despite strong evidence that neighborhood greenery promotes better mental health, there are environmental justice concerns over the distribution of neighborhood greenery. Underlying these concerns are present-day consequences of historical discriminatory financial investment practices, such as redlining which was established by the U.S. Federal Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) in the 1930s. The impacts of redlining on environmental and health disparities have been researched extensively. However, the influences of redlining on the associations between neighborhood environment and health outcomes have not been fully assessed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine whether associations between residential tree cover and depressive symptoms vary across areas subject to HOLC practices. METHODS: from residences was estimated using 2011 U.S. Forest Service Percent Tree Canopy Cover. Mixed model using climate zone as the random effect was applied to evaluate the associations with adjustments for potential covariates. Analyses were stratified by HOLC grade. RESULTS: buffer. DISCUSSION: Findings support a remediation strategy focused on neighborhood greenery that would address multiple public health priorities, including mental health and environmental justice. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12212.