Spatial indicators of inequity in urban health research: a scoping review
Abstract Accurately measuring spatial inequities in the built environment is essential for meaningful research on how environmental factors influence health. This study aimed to (1) systematically identify how spatial inequities are measured in urban health research and (2) assess the conceptual cla...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Discover Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00421-z |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832586052652498944 |
|---|---|
| author | Ana L. Favarão Leão Raúl D. Gierbolini-Rivera Milena Franco Silva Courtney Shaw Áine O’Connor Deborah Salvo Rodrigo Siqueira Reis |
| author_facet | Ana L. Favarão Leão Raúl D. Gierbolini-Rivera Milena Franco Silva Courtney Shaw Áine O’Connor Deborah Salvo Rodrigo Siqueira Reis |
| author_sort | Ana L. Favarão Leão |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Accurately measuring spatial inequities in the built environment is essential for meaningful research on how environmental factors influence health. This study aimed to (1) systematically identify how spatial inequities are measured in urban health research and (2) assess the conceptual clarity of studies on spatial inequities and inequalities. A scoping review of four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, GreenFILE, and Global Health) was conducted. From 921 results, 44 full-text articles were reviewed. Studies most frequently measured access to green spaces (n = 20, 45.5%), food environment (n = 7, 15.9%), and walkability (n = 5, 11.4%). Most studies (n = 32, 73%) were conducted in high-income countries. The primary analytical approaches were descriptive (n = 11, 25%). Most studies (n = 43, 97.73%) contained misalignment between concepts they purposed to measure, and variables and analyses used. Concepts such as accessibility (n = 10, 22.72%), environmental justice (n = 5, 11.36%), and spatial equity (n = 3, 6.81%) were prevalent. This study’s results highlight the need for conceptual clarity on spatial inequity and inequality within urban health research. This research highlights the reliance on descriptive methodologies and advocates for robust statistical approaches. With conceptual clarity and improved measurements, researchers and practitioners can better develop strategies to advance urban health policies with the goal of reducing health inequities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-48ee86d09a164afa93d705d3f3198df9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 3005-0774 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-48ee86d09a164afa93d705d3f3198df92025-01-26T12:15:39ZengSpringerDiscover Public Health3005-07742025-01-0122111510.1186/s12982-025-00421-zSpatial indicators of inequity in urban health research: a scoping reviewAna L. Favarão Leão0Raúl D. Gierbolini-Rivera1Milena Franco Silva2Courtney Shaw3Áine O’Connor4Deborah Salvo5Rodrigo Siqueira Reis6Prevention Research Center; People Health & Place Unit, Brown School at Washington University in St. LouisPrevention Research Center; People Health & Place Unit, Brown School at Washington University in St. LouisPrevention Research Center; People Health & Place Unit, Brown School at Washington University in St. LouisPrevention Research Center; People Health & Place Unit, Brown School at Washington University in St. LouisUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillDepartment of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at AustinPrevention Research Center; People Health & Place Unit, Brown School at Washington University in St. LouisAbstract Accurately measuring spatial inequities in the built environment is essential for meaningful research on how environmental factors influence health. This study aimed to (1) systematically identify how spatial inequities are measured in urban health research and (2) assess the conceptual clarity of studies on spatial inequities and inequalities. A scoping review of four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, GreenFILE, and Global Health) was conducted. From 921 results, 44 full-text articles were reviewed. Studies most frequently measured access to green spaces (n = 20, 45.5%), food environment (n = 7, 15.9%), and walkability (n = 5, 11.4%). Most studies (n = 32, 73%) were conducted in high-income countries. The primary analytical approaches were descriptive (n = 11, 25%). Most studies (n = 43, 97.73%) contained misalignment between concepts they purposed to measure, and variables and analyses used. Concepts such as accessibility (n = 10, 22.72%), environmental justice (n = 5, 11.36%), and spatial equity (n = 3, 6.81%) were prevalent. This study’s results highlight the need for conceptual clarity on spatial inequity and inequality within urban health research. This research highlights the reliance on descriptive methodologies and advocates for robust statistical approaches. With conceptual clarity and improved measurements, researchers and practitioners can better develop strategies to advance urban health policies with the goal of reducing health inequities.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00421-zBuilt environmentHealth equitySpatial analysisLiterature reviewSpatial inequitiesSpatial inequalities |
| spellingShingle | Ana L. Favarão Leão Raúl D. Gierbolini-Rivera Milena Franco Silva Courtney Shaw Áine O’Connor Deborah Salvo Rodrigo Siqueira Reis Spatial indicators of inequity in urban health research: a scoping review Discover Public Health Built environment Health equity Spatial analysis Literature review Spatial inequities Spatial inequalities |
| title | Spatial indicators of inequity in urban health research: a scoping review |
| title_full | Spatial indicators of inequity in urban health research: a scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Spatial indicators of inequity in urban health research: a scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spatial indicators of inequity in urban health research: a scoping review |
| title_short | Spatial indicators of inequity in urban health research: a scoping review |
| title_sort | spatial indicators of inequity in urban health research a scoping review |
| topic | Built environment Health equity Spatial analysis Literature review Spatial inequities Spatial inequalities |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00421-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT analfavaraoleao spatialindicatorsofinequityinurbanhealthresearchascopingreview AT rauldgierbolinirivera spatialindicatorsofinequityinurbanhealthresearchascopingreview AT milenafrancosilva spatialindicatorsofinequityinurbanhealthresearchascopingreview AT courtneyshaw spatialindicatorsofinequityinurbanhealthresearchascopingreview AT aineoconnor spatialindicatorsofinequityinurbanhealthresearchascopingreview AT deborahsalvo spatialindicatorsofinequityinurbanhealthresearchascopingreview AT rodrigosiqueirareis spatialindicatorsofinequityinurbanhealthresearchascopingreview |