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. 2019 Nov 30;16(23):4818.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph16234818.

Sex/Gender Differences in the Association between Residential Green Space and Self-Rated Health-A Sex/Gender-Focused Systematic Review

Gabriele Bolte  1   2 , Sarah Nanninga  1   2 , Lisa Dandolo  1   2
Affiliations

Sex/Gender Differences in the Association between Residential Green Space and Self-Rated Health-A Sex/Gender-Focused Systematic Review

Gabriele Bolte et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Though sex/gender is an important social determinant of health, sex/gender inequalities have not been considered comprehensively in environmental health research thus far. The aim of this systematic review was to clarify whether sex/gender theoretical concepts were addressed in studies on the impact of residential green space on self-rated health and whether effect modification by sex/gender was observed. Three electronic databases were searched to identify epidemiological studies on perceived or objective residential green/blue space and self-rated health. Necessary for study inclusion was mentioning at least one keyword for sex/gender in title or abstract, adult study participants and data on self-rated health and on availability and/or use of green/blue spaces. Decisive for study inclusion was consideration of sex/gender differences in the impact of perceived or objective residential green/blue spaces on self-rated health in the analysis and presentation of results. Seven studies were included. They presented an overall positive impact of green space on self-rated health. No consistent sex/gender differences in the impact of green space on self-rated health were found in these studies. However, all studies used a binary operationalization male/female without further theoretical foundation. Research quality could be enhanced by integrating sex/gender-theoretical concepts into study design and interpretation of results.

Keywords: blue space; environment; gender; green space; greenness; nature; park; self-rated health; sex.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-flow diagram of the selection process.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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