Urban Forestry’s Return on Investment: Tying Residential Nature to Health Care Expenditure

This study will examine how urban greenspace is related to health costs. Numerous of studies have documented the connection between urban and community forests and human health: in greener places, people are healthier. However, many of these studies lack spatial resolution and/or important covariate data that precludes definitive assessments. We will link LiDAR and other satellite data to characterize urban forest/greenspace in high spatial detail and link to the individual level health endpoints and costs within a large and diverse integrated health delivery system. We will also examine how greenspace is related to these outcomes with consideration of socioeconomic status and comorbidity.

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