The role of ecology in public health: Research and educational opportunities using EnviroAtlas

A growing area of public-health research and practice concerns the relationships between physical and visual access to urban green space, and stress, physical fitness, cognitive function and other aspects of health and wellness. Natural features can modify effects of noise, heat and pollution, and promote healthful behaviors including physical activity and social interaction.  While published research on these topics is compelling, many questions remain concerning causation, biological mechanisms, dose-response, reproducibility, and generalizability. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports research on the linkages between ecology and human health.  A key science resource is EnviroAtlas (http://enviroatlas.epa.gov), which provides free, online, high-quality spatial data, information, and mapping and analysis tools on benefits provided by the natural environment, populations benefitting from or in need of these assets, and pressures that threaten their continued availability.  EnviroAtlas covers the contiguous U.S. at 30-meter and watershed resolutions, and selected urbanized areas at one-meter and census block-group resolutions.  With more than 400 data layers developed through interagency, NGO, and academic partnerships, EnviroAtlas is a powerful resource to generate and test hypotheses on ecosystem factors affecting public health. 

EPA seeks to inform faculty and students at U.S. schools and programs of public health about the potential of “green” infrastructure as a factor in health, and about the uses of EnviroAtlas for coursework, special projects, and primary research.  Available urban ecosystem data include “heat maps” of concentrated green and impervious land cover, walking distance to the nearest park entrance, tree cover along major and walkable roads, and schools and residential populations with little to no window views of green space.  EnviroAtlas variables are suitable for independent analyses with restricted health data, often down to the address level.  EnviroAtlas is a frequent host to ASPPH fellowship participants and welcomes additional research collaborations. 

This abstract does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.