Donovan, G. H., Michael, Y. L., Butry, D. T., Sullivan, A. D., & Chase, J. M. (2010).
Health & Place, 17, 390–393.
Many studies have been published on the impact of urban trees on health and lifestyle. This article particularly looks at the impact of urban trees on birth outcomes in Portland, Oregon, USA. The study emphasises the effect of trees on birth outcomes because urban trees are an important element of the natural environment that can be more readily modified than other natural amenities. For example, it is easier to plant trees in a neighbourhood than increase the size of parks or other open spaces. The results of the study do not provide direct insight into how urban trees may improve birth outcomes. However, stress reduction is a plausible biological mechanism linking trees to small for gestational age, as previous research has shown that maternal stress can increase the probability of underweight birth and exposure to natural environments can reduce stress.
Tags: birth outcomes, trees, health, stress
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