Introduction

Mental illnesses are a growing problem in modern societies. While the impact of demographic or socioeconomic factors on these pathologies is acknowledged, the interaction with urbanized environment is little understood. This quantitative research is part of the interdisciplinary study “NAMED” which aim to investigate the impact of the (non-)built environment on mental health in Belgium, one of the most urbanized countries in Europe.

Methods

Research focuses on the inhabitants of Brussels and older than 15 years. The epidemiological study was carried out based on the coupling between data from the national health surveys (2009 and 2013) and specifically developed indicators describing each participant’s surroundings in terms of (non-)built environment, air quality and noise. These data are based on the X,Y coordinates of the participant’s residence and processed using Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

Participant’s mental health was approached through different indicators from validated questionnaires (GHQ, SF36 vitality scale, etc.) and isolated variables (reported depression, suicidal ideation).

Multiple logistic regression models were run for each environmental indicator and mental health outcome, taking into account socio-economic factors.

Results

Adjusted measures of association between mental health and environmental indicators will be presented at three levels : the residential level (view of green, garden coverage, building characteristics), the street level (vegetation coverage, tree density, canyon/corridor effect) and the neighborhood level (green coverage with a buffer of 600 and 1km, typology of urban intensity). Same results will be provided for air quality/noise and subjective measures of the environment.

Discussion

The results permit to better understand the impact of urban environment on mental health and to formulate concrete, evidence-based policy regarding public health, urban planning and green space management.