Environmental quality perceptions and health: a cross-sectional study of citizens of Kaunas, Lithuania

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Piliečiai; Aplinka; Sveikata; Kaimynystės samprata; Hipertenzija; Fizinė veikla; Citizens; Environment; Health; Neighborhood; Physical activity.

ENThe perception of urban environmental quality is an important contributor when identifying local problems in sustainable development and environmental planning policy. This study examined the associations between environmental and social residential characteristics, physical activity, obesity, and hypertension in Kaunas city, Lithuania. This cross-sectional study analyzed 580 citizens’ demographic-, socioeconomic-, health-, and lifestyle-related factors, environmental health concerns, and environmental quality perceptions. Using Geographic Information Systems and the multivariate logistic regression, we found that the less physically active group more often presented lower than mean ratings of the quality of pathways and cycling routes (32.9% and 45.6%, p = 0.042) and only irregularly visited the natural environment. Obese participants presented poorer ratings of air pollution, the quality of pathways and cycling routes, their possibility to reach green spaces by walking, and the available relaxing areas. The environmental issues associated with hypertension were poor possibilities to reach green spaces by walking (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.14–3.32) and the availability of relaxation areas (OR 2.30, 95% 1.34–3.95). The quality of the neighborhood and individual-level characteristics were the factors that influenced a higher prevalence of health problems at the district level. Our findings suggest that a public health policy to improve the physical and social environment of the neighborhood would have a potential to increase citizens’ physical activity and health. [From the publication]

• Evaluation of public space as a place for free time accessible to all: in the case of Santaka park / Greta Valatkaitytė, Biruta Švagždienė. Humanities studies. 2024, 19 (96), p. 150-157.
• Measuring the outcomes of a participatory research study: findings from an environmental epidemiological study in Kaunas city / Regina Grazuleviciene, Sandra Andrusaityte and Aurimas Rapalavicius. Sustainability (Basel). 2021, 13, 9368.