Neighbourhood Walkability and Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study investigated whether living in a walkable neighbourhood could mitigate the adverse effects of the lockdown and closure of public open spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity among adults in Bangkok, Thailand. We conducted a telephone survey with 579 respondents and collected information on their physical activity, access to green open spaces, neighbourhood walkability, and socioeconomic characteristics during the pandemic. Our study indicates that living in a walkable neighbourhood is associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in sufficient physical activity during the pandemic. Furthermore, we confirm the influence of socioeconomic factors and health behaviours on physical activity levels, aligning with previous research. Notably, our study highlights the significant association between access to green open spaces during lockdown and increased physical activity. These results underscore the importance of promoting walkable neighbourhoods and ensuring accessible green spaces to enhance physical activity and improve health outcomes during and beyond the pandemic.

Urban green space visitation and mental health wellbeing during COVID-19 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Urban green spaces offer numerous benefits, and their role in supporting mental health, particularly during global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, is of growing interest to researchers and policymakers. This study explored the relationship between urban green space visitation and mental health well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangkok, Thailand. This cross-sectional study, conducted in Bangkok during the COVID-19 lockdown, used a telephone survey of 579 respondents. A logistic regression model was employed to examine the association between urban green space visitation and the WHO-5 mental health well-being score, considering various factors such as socioeconomic variables, healthy behaviors, and COVID-19-related experiences. The findings revealed a significant association between urban green space visitation during the lockdown and higher mental health well-being. Socioeconomic variables and healthy behaviors of respondents were also notably linked to higher WHO-5 mental health well-being scores. These findings collectively indicate that urban greenspace visitation serves as a crucial determinant of mental health and well-being, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Urban heat stress and human health in Bangkok, Thailand.

Heat stress has been recognized as one of the consequences of climate change in urban areas. Its adverse effects on the urban population range from economy, social, environment, and human health. With the increasing urbanization and economic development in cities, heat stress is expected to worsen. This particular study aims to achieve two objectives: (1) to understand the determinants of heat stress, especially the roles of the urban environment in exacerbating the heat stress, and (2) to explore the effects of heat stress to human health using self-reported health assessment. We employed a cross-sectional study using a survey questionnaire from 505 respondents living in the urban area of Bangkok, Thailand. We found that socioeconomic conditions of the individual and urban environment were significant determinants of urban heat stress. Low-income urban populations living in high-density areas with less green open space were more likely to experience heat stress. We also found that heat stress significantly affects human health. Those who reported a higher level of heat stress were more likely to have adverse health and well-being outcomes. The findings suggest that the increased risk of heat stress represents a major problem in the Bangkok, Thailand. It is necessary to address heat stress in adaptation policy and measures at the city levels amid the continued increase of global temperature and climate change.