Residing by the Ocean Might Extend Your Lifespan
In a groundbreaking study, researchers at The Ohio State University College of Public Health have found that living near coastal waters is associated with longer life expectancy, while proximity to inland waters shows the opposite trend. The study, led by Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Jianyong "Jamie" Wu, was published in the journal Environmental Research and is open access, allowing for easy access to the research findings.
The study comprehensively and systematically examined the relationship between various types of "blue space" (coastal and inland waters) and longevity in the U.S., revealing a one-year longer life expectancy for coastal residents, compared to the national average. On the other hand, those living near large inland water bodies often have a reduced life expectancy by about a year.
The differences in life expectancy between coastal and inland urban water areas primarily arise from environmental, socioeconomic, and infrastructural factors that together influence health equity.
Environmental Conditions
Coastal areas experience milder temperatures and fewer hot days, reducing heat-related health risks. In contrast, inland urban water areas have higher maximum temperatures and more hot days, which can exacerbate health problems. Coastal zones also have better air quality, with lower levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Socioeconomic Status
Coastal residents tend to have higher household incomes, which correlates with better access to healthcare, nutrition, and living conditions. Poverty is higher near inland urban water bodies, contributing to disparities in health outcomes.
Urban Infrastructure and Safety
Inland urban water areas often have pollution, poverty, and fewer safe opportunities for physical activity compared to coastal areas. Increased risks of flooding and associated displacement or stress also disproportionately affect inland urban water communities, impacting mental and physical health.
Access to Recreation and Well-being
Proximity to the ocean offers more recreational opportunities and psychological benefits, such as lower stress hormones and better cardiovascular profiles, linked to routine contact with blue space (oceans, bays). Urban inland water bodies may not provide similar benefits due to pollution and lack of safe access.
Addressing Health Equity Challenges
The study emphasizes the importance of integrating blue spaces and other key environmental and socioeconomic factors into urban planning, residential development, and healthcare environment design to improve life expectancy and health equity. The research suggests that various social determinants of health, including complex environmental factors, may play a key role in the differences observed in life expectancy between coastal and inland areas.
The study was conducted across 66,263 census tracts in the United States, with Ria Martins, a graduate student in public health, serving as a co-author. The findings underscore the substantial impact on health equity, as residents in inland urban water areas face compounded environmental and socioeconomic challenges that lead to shorter lives and poorer health compared to the more advantaged coastal populations living near oceans.
By addressing these factors, we can work towards improving health equity across different water-adjacent urban settings.
- The Study, published in the journal Environmental Research, revealed that coastal residents enjoy a one-year longer life expectancy compared to the national average, which is contrary to those living near large inland water bodies.
- The study findings suggest that environmental conditions in coastal areas, such as milder temperatures and better air quality, contribute to this improved life expectancy.
- Researchers also highlighted that socioeconomic factors play a crucial role in health disparities, with coastal residents typically having higher household incomes and better access to healthcare, nutrition, and living conditions.
- The study reports that inland urban water areas often suffer from pollution, poverty, and fewer safe opportunities for physical activity, as well as higher risks of flooding and associated stress, negatively impacting mental and physical health.
- To improve life expectancy and health equity, the researchers urge the integration of blue spaces, green spaces, and other essential environmental and socioeconomic factors into urban planning, residential development, and healthcare environment design. This could potentially help address the compounded challenges faced by residents in inland urban water areas, ultimately working towards health equity across different water-adjacent urban settings.
