Health impact of urban green spaces: a systematic review of heat-related morbidity and mortality

Objectives The objective of this review was to scrutinise the impact of urban green spaces on heat-related morbidity and mortality. Design This systematic review was meticulously carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines Data sources A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar including studies from January 2000 to December 2022. Eligibility criteria Studies that examined the influence of urban green spaces on heat-related morbidity and mortality, including randomised controlled trials, observational and modelling studies, were included. Data extraction and synthesis A total of 3301 publications were initially identified, out of which 12 studies met the inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. The selected studies were predominantly from high-income and upper-middle-income nations (95%). Results The research points towards a pattern where regions abundant in green spaces report lower rates of heat-related morbidity and mortality in contrast to those with sparse greenery. Additionally, urban vegetation appears to exert a positive influence on mental health and well-being, potentially aiding in offsetting the adverse health repercussions of high temperatures. Conclusion Urban green spaces play a vital role in mitigating heat-related health risks, offering a potential strategy for urban planning to address climate change and enhance public health. Additional research is required to thoroughly comprehend the magnitude of urban greenery’s impact on heat-related morbidity and mortality, as well as its interplay with other variables, including air pollution, socioeconomic status, among others.