Urban green space, such as parks, forests, green roofs, streams, and community gardens, provides critical ecosystem services. Green space also promotes physical activity, psychological well-being, and the general public health of urban residents. This paper reviews the Anglo-American literature on urban green space, especially parks, and compares efforts to green US and Chinese cities. Most studies reveal that the distribution of such space often disproportionately benefits predominantly White and more affluent communities.
This study finds that income inequality consistently and significantly influences mortality rates in the US, even when accounting for education, race, urbanization, and poverty. It challenges recent doubts by showing that income inequality remains a robust predictor of population health across various model specifications.
