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Project

Nature impact on mentale health distribution (R-8490)

Mental illnesses are a growing problem in modern societies. While the impact of demographic or socioeconomic factors on these pathologies is acknowledged, the interaction with urbanised environment is little understood. This recently launched study (NAMED) intends to investigate the impact of the (non-)built environment on mental health in Belgium, one of the most urbanized countries in Europe. Methods will combine quantitative and qualitative research and focus on the country capital Brussels. First, an epidemiological study will be carried out based on the coupling between data from the national health surveys and specifically developed indicators describing each participant's surroundings in terms of (non-)built environment, quality of air and noise. Second, civil society, stakeholders and local or scientific experts will be consulted by means of multiple case studies, focus groups and extended peer evaluation. Expected results are numerous. Quantitative and qualitative approaches will complement each other in order to better understand the impact of urban environment on mental health and the multiple underlying determinants involved at the individual level (age, gender, education, income, cultural, lifestyle, stress, social network factors, etc.) or environmental one (type, quality, aesthetic, accessibility, safety, labelling, etc.). This research will be more generally informative on the question of the health/environmental injustice/equity. By gathering experts in social, geographical, medical and epidemiology sciences, this project intends to get a comprehensive overview of the impact of the (non-)built environment on mental health. Conclusions will be relevant for a wide audience and will have various impacts for society. They will notably permit to inform decision makers and suggest concrete, evidence-based actions significant for public health, urban planning and management of nature.
Date:1 Jan 2017 →  30 Nov 2021
Keywords:Mentale Health
Disciplines:General biology, Plant biology
Project type:Collaboration project