Neighborhood Environment, Intrinsic Capacity and 4-Year Late-Life Functional Ability Trajectories

Knowledge on how intrinsic capacity (IC) and neighbourhood physical environment shape functional ability (FA) trajectories in later life remains understudied. We investigated the 4-year trajectories of IC and their impact on FA trajectories, and the associations between neighbourhood physical environments and FA trajectories over time among older adults. We conducted a four-wave longitudinal study from 2014-2017 in Hong Kong with 2,081 adults aged 65 and above. FA was assessed by The Chinese Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. We used cognition, affect, locomotion, sensory capacity, and vitality to capture multi-domains of IC. Neighbourhood physical environment attributes included green space, land use diversity, and facilities availability, assessed within 200- and 500-meter buffers of respondents' homes. IC and FA each decreased significantly over time. Individuals with declines in IC experienced faster declines in FA over time. Green space, the number of leisure facilities and public transport slowed the decreasing FA rate.

Associations Between Neighborhood Environments and Depressive Symptoms of Older Adults

Little is known about the accumulative impacts of neighbourhood physical environments on depression among older adults. Based on a cohort study of 2,081 older adults in Hong Kong, this study examined longitudinal relationships between neighbourhood physical environments and depressive symptoms among older adults and the moderating effects of the slope of terrain and individual functional ability using latent growth curve modelling. Results indicated that the availability of community centres and passive leisure facilities reduced depressive symptoms over time. The protective effects of residential surrounding greenness on depressive symptoms among older adults differed by the slope of terrain. Longitudinal associations between neighbourhood physical environments and depressive symptoms varied between older adults with and without functional limitations. Identifying environmental barriers and applying targeted residential environment interventions are essential.

Impact of leisure environmental supply on new urban pathology: a case study of Guangzhou and Zhuhai

Traditional studies on urban pathology primarily focused on impacts of social disorganization and urban settings, such as crime, polarization between the rich and the poor, pollution, and deteriorating living conditions, whereas there is insufficient attention paid to urban mental health and wellness. To provide fresh insights into the issue of urban mental health and wellness, this paper defines the psychiatric disorder of urban citizens as ‘new urban pathology’ which primarily results from a highly competitive, stressful, and fast-paced urban life. Based on 40 interviews from citizens in two rapidly urbanizing cities in mainland China, this paper attempts to investigate how the supply of leisure facilities affects new urban pathology. There are three general findings of this research: (1) First, new urban pathology commonly exists and varies with urban communities. However, it is not significantly influenced by the pace of city life. It is found that the worse prospect the living standards, the more significant the negative impacts of the new urban pathology. (2) Sufficient urban leisure facilities do have positive impacts on relieving psychological pressure of urban dwellers. Apart from these, residents also achieve stress relief from surrounding therapeutic landscapes like aesthetic public space, well-designed architecture, etc. (3) The perceived usefulness of leisure environment serves as a key factor to mediate the stress-mitigating effect of leisure supply. When leisure facilities’ functions highly match the needs of residents, leisure environmental supply can be utilized effectively, which helps alleviate the new urban pathology. This research advances the literature of urban health studies by tentatively revealing the interaction between the supply of leisure environmental facilities and urban mental health. It suggests that urban practitioners should optimize the quality of facilities rather than simply increasing the quantity for reducing the daily stress of urban life.

REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS IN THE FIELD OF FUNCTIONAL-PLANNING ORGANIZATION OF CULTURAL AND LEISURE FACILITIES

The article provides an overview of scientific publications in the field of functional planning organization of cultural and leisure facilities. The analysis of the works made it possible to systematize the available data on the research topic and identify promising directions for studying the architectural-typological and functional-planning characteristics of modern cultural and leisure facilities.

Abstract 12132: Diurnal Variation in Citizen Responder and Automated External Defibrillation Coverage of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Denmark According to Area Types

Introduction: Following the implementation of the Danish AED network and a nationwide citizen responder (CR) program for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), CR and AED coverage for OHCAs according to area types has not been investigated. We aimed to assess AED and CR coverage of historical OHCAs according to area types in daytime (12pm) and nighttime (12am). Methods: We included non-EMS witnessed OHCAs from the Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry (2016-2019) and AEDs registered with the Danish AED network (November 2020) available at 12am (n=22,418) and 12pm (n=14,734). Exact locations of CRs who were registered with the national CR program by December 2020 were identified on a normal working day (Wednesday, December 2, 2020) at 12am and 12pm (representing day- and nighttime location). OHCAs, AEDs, and CRs were identified and geocoded using a geographical information system. Urban Atlas was used to categorize areas into subgroups using satellite images; high density residential areas, low density residential areas, public and industrial sites, nature, sport and leisure facilities, transportation (e.g. airport and railway stations), and fast transit roads. Results: A total of 10,126 OHCAs (63.0% male, median age 73 years). We mapped 14,119 AEDs (12 pm) and 24,372 CR (12 pm) in Urban Atlas. Most OHCAs in all area types were covered by >= 1 AED. A greater variation was observed in CR coverage when compared to AED coverage, according to area type. Little difference in coverage of both AED and CR according to time of day was observed. (Figure 1) Conclusion: The highest CR and AED coverage were observed in high density residential areas, transportation sites, public and industrial areas, and sport and leisure facilities, which is where most OHCAs occurred. These findings indicate a high coverage of citizen responders and AEDs in Denmark.

Using the transtheoretical model of behaviour change to analyse the impact of stopping exercise: a reflection

This article is an analytical reflection of the personal health journey of a first-year nursing student that was undertaken as part of a first-year unit of study. Focusing on social, physical and psychological aspects of health, it explores the impact of the cessation of exercise on her emotional and physical health and wellbeing. This is relevant to current practice as a result of COVID-19, which reduced opportunities for exercise for many people, whether because of self-isolation and lockdown restrictions on leisure facilities or increased workload and caring responsibilities, all of which affect health and wellbeing. The article is presented in the first person, reflecting the personal analysis it captures.

Municipal modernity: the politics of leisure and Johannesburg's swimming baths, 1920s to 1930s

In the 1920s and 1930s, the all-powerful Johannesburg Council, comprising English-speaking middle-class white males, realized the importance of providing leisure spaces and sport facilities for its white residents and prioritized the building of swimming baths in their suburbs. It was regarded as the ideal facility, supporting the growing demand for outdoor activity. The upswing in the economy in the 1920s and especially in the 1930s, expedited this endeavour, as it eased the financial expenditure. As a result, Johannesburg could boast 10 new swimming baths by the end of the 1930s. The council was adamant that the swimming baths should be on a par with international standards. This venture fitted comfortably into the larger project of transforming the economically vibrant Johannesburg into a modern city. In contrast, the first swimming bath for Johannesburg's black residents was only built in the mid-1930s, proving that racial considerations determined the council's provision of leisure facilities.

Taking leadership over psychopathogenic environments

AimsDo psychiatrists believe children are growing up in psychopathogenic environments that significantly contribute to mental ill- health? If so, do they feel empowered to change those environments? If not, how can psychiatrists be given a role where they can create meaningful change? Finally, how much responsibility can psychiatry usefully take for changing psychopathogenic environments?BackgroundWe define psychopathogenic environments as environments that predispose to mental ill-health. It is the psychological environment we live in - including income, the way we interact with others (e.g. social media, bullying), what we do with our free time, pressures at school and expectations of our peers. It is not discrete events (e.g. trauma) and stretches beyond life at home (where many ACE's occur).Self-harm presentations to medical professionals amongst teenagers are on the rise, Universities report a fivefold increase in disclosure of mental health conditions in the last decade. Here we consider if psychopathogenic environments are part of the cause of these changes.MethodA 10-item questionnaire distributed to Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists in NHS Lothian, NHS Grampian and Manchester University NHS Trust via a consultant in each Trust.ResultAll 14 respondents said psychopathogenic environments are “very important” contributors to mental ill-health. 13/14 say the environments have got worse in the last 10 years. 13/14 responded negatively about whether psychiatrists could change them. When given white space to tackle the problem they suggested changes were needed from Government including against poverty / inequality, education, public health nudges, more resources, MDT working and better access to leisure facilities. Given specific choices, 11/14 identified influencing Government as a major way forward.ConclusionThis group of psychiatrists believe psychopathogenic environments are; 1) a very important contributor to mental ill-health 2) getting worse but 3) feel largely powerless to tackle it. It is a problem they think is important and want to engage in, but lack time, resources and struggle with the complexity of the problem. How therefore, can psychiatrist show leadership in this area? The two perspectives to consider how to empower psychiatrists to help create change are 1) how they can influence the environment for individual patients, 2) how they can influence public policy and government to make wider changes.Is this the job of psychiatrists? Not alone, but as agents they have a unique insight and authority as both a lens for and director of these environments.

Suburban / urban grafting: towards an architectural and urban hybrid

Land is a finite resource which does not support the low density suburban model on a large scale. The alternative, the urban condition, does not satisfy the needs of families. The goal is to define a middle ground, to create a hybrid, by taking the best qualities of the suburbs and urb to develop a new vision for the city. Is it possible to combine the typological characteristics and spatial qualities of the suburbs in an urban format where the disadvantages of the suburbs are mitigated by the multiplicity of urbanity? For the purpose of this thesis the design proposal is tested on Ijburg, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The resultant hybrid is manifested through the mixing of different housing typologies both suburban and urban in conjunction with and elevated street which provides private access to individual units and public access to recreational and leisure facilities.

Suburban / urban grafting: towards an architectural and urban hybrid

Land is a finite resource which does not support the low density suburban model on a large scale. The alternative, the urban condition, does not satisfy the needs of families. The goal is to define a middle ground, to create a hybrid, by taking the best qualities of the suburbs and urb to develop a new vision for the city. Is it possible to combine the typological characteristics and spatial qualities of the suburbs in an urban format where the disadvantages of the suburbs are mitigated by the multiplicity of urbanity? For the purpose of this thesis the design proposal is tested on Ijburg, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The resultant hybrid is manifested through the mixing of different housing typologies both suburban and urban in conjunction with and elevated street which provides private access to individual units and public access to recreational and leisure facilities.