Is tree loss associated with cardiovascular-disease risk in the Women's Health Initiative? A natural experiment. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Donovan, Geoffrey H.; Michael, Yvonne L.; Gatziolis, Demetrios; Prestemon, Jeffrey P.; Whitsel, Eric A.
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 36(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Natural environment -- Pubic health -- Cardiovascular disease -- Lower respiratory; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.08.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: Data from the Women's Health Initiative were used to quantify the relationship between the loss of trees to an invasive forest pest—the emerald ash borer—and cardiovascular disease. We estimated a semi-parametric Cox proportional hazards model of time to cardiovascular disease, adjusting for confounders. We defined the incidence of cardiovascular disease as acute myocardial infarction requiring overnight hospitalization, silent MI determined from serial electrocardiograms, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, or death from coronary heart disease. Women living in a county infested with emerald ash borer had an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (HR=1.25, 95% CI: 1.20–1.31). Highlights: The spread of the emerald ash borer offers a unique opportunity to quantify the relationship between the natural environment and public health. After controlling for confounders, women living in counties infested with emerald ash borer had a 25% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Trees may offer a significant protective effect for cardiovascular disease.