Nature inequity and higher COVID-19 case rates in less-green neighbourhoods in the United States
Erica N. Spotswood, M. Bolker Benjamin, Lauren Stoneburner, Megan M. Wheeler, Erin E. Beller, Deborah Balk +3 more
Nature Sustainability
Abstract
Abstract Urban nature—such as greenness and parks—can alleviate distress and provide space for safe recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, nature is often less available in low-income populations and communities of colour—the same communities hardest hit by COVID-19. In analyses of two datasets, we quantified inequity in greenness and park proximity across all urbanized areas in the United States and linked greenness and park access to COVID-19 case rates for ZIP codes in 17 states. Areas with majority persons of colour had both higher case rates and less greenness. Furthermore, when controlling for sociodemographic variables, an increase of 0.1 in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was associated with a 4.1% decrease in COVID-19 incidence rates (95% confidence interval: