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Assessing Trade-Offs and Optimal Ranges of Density for Life Expectancy and 12 Causes of Mortality in Metro Vancouver, Canada, 1990–2016 Yu, Jessica; Gustafson, Paul, 1968-; Tran, Martino, 1975-; Brauer, Michael

Abstract

Background: Understanding and managing the impacts of population growth and densification are important steps for sustainable development. This study sought to evaluate the health trade-offs associated with increasing densification and to identify the optimal balance of neighbourhood densification for health. Methods: We linked population density with a 27-year mortality dataset in Metro Vancouver that includes census-tract levels of life expectancy (LE), cause-specific mortalities, and area-level deprivation. We applied two methods: (1) difference-in-differences (DID) models to study the impacts of densification changes from the early 1990s on changes in mortality over a 27-year period; and (2) smoothed cubic splines to identify thresholds of densification at which mortality rates accelerated. Results: At densities above ~9400 persons per km², LE began to decrease more rapidly. By cause, densification was linked to decreased mortality for major causes of mortality in the region, such as cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, and diabetes. Greater inequality with increasing density was observed for causes such as human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), sexually transmitted infections, and self-harm and interpersonal violence. Conclusions: Areas with higher population densities generally have lower rates of mortality from the major causes, but these environments are also associated with higher relative inequality from largely preventable causes of death.

Item Metadata

Title
Assessing Trade-Offs and Optimal Ranges of Density for Life Expectancy and 12 Causes of Mortality in Metro Vancouver, Canada, 1990–2016
Creator
Yu, Jessica; Gustafson, Paul, 1968-; Tran, Martino, 1975-; Brauer, Michael
Publisher
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Date Issued
2022-03-02
Description
Background: Understanding and managing the impacts of population growth and densification are important steps for sustainable development. This study sought to evaluate the health trade-offs associated with increasing densification and to identify the optimal balance of neighbourhood densification for health. Methods: We linked population density with a 27-year mortality dataset in Metro Vancouver that includes census-tract levels of life expectancy (LE), cause-specific mortalities, and area-level deprivation. We applied two methods: (1) difference-in-differences (DID) models to study the impacts of densification changes from the early 1990s on changes in mortality over a 27-year period; and (2) smoothed cubic splines to identify thresholds of densification at which mortality rates accelerated. Results: At densities above ~9400 persons per km², LE began to decrease more rapidly. By cause, densification was linked to decreased mortality for major causes of mortality in the region, such as cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, and diabetes. Greater inequality with increasing density was observed for causes such as human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), sexually transmitted infections, and self-harm and interpersonal violence. Conclusions: Areas with higher population densities generally have lower rates of mortality from the major causes, but these environments are also associated with higher relative inequality from largely preventable causes of death.
Subject
density; mortality; urban planning; life expectancy; cause-specific mortality; urban health; growth management; population growth; difference-in-differences; cubic splines
Genre
Article
Type
Text
Language
eng
Date Available
2022-03-24
Provider
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Rights
CC BY 4.0
DOI
10.14288/1.0407317
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/81028
Affiliation
Applied Science, Faculty of; Medicine, Faculty of; Science, Faculty of; Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of; Population and Public Health (SPPH), School of; Statistics, Department of
Citation
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19 (5): 2900 (2022)
Publisher DOI
10.3390/ijerph19052900
Peer Review Status
Reviewed
Scholarly Level
Faculty; Researcher; Other
Rights URI
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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CC BY 4.0