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Evidence Reviews
We produce evidence reviews based on our assessments of needs and gaps in evidence-based environmental health practice and policy. We also work with researchers and environmental public health students for reviews. These documents are peer-reviewed and the content is the responsibility of the authors.
Topics: Built Environment Location: General, Canada
Around the globe, mental health disorders are a significant and growing cause of ill health and early death, with the burden of such diseases increasing by more than a third between 1990 and 2010. Almost a third of all Canadians have experienced a mental illness at some point during their lifetimes. A Statistics Canada survey reported the most commonly reported illnesses to be mood disorders,...
Full_Review-Greenspace_Mental_Health_Mar_2015.pdf, Summary-Greenspace_Mental_Health_Mar_2015.pdf
Topics: Built Environment, Contaminants and Hazards, Chemical Agents, Nuisance Control, Pest Control Location: General, Canada
Economic, environmental, and health concerns with bed bug control technologies and management options are of interest to public health and pest management agencies, who often receive and need to respond to inquiries regarding bed bugs (Hemiptera: Cimex). However, control technologies are constantly changing as evidence emerges for evaluating their efficacy/feasibility and acceptance by regulators...
Field_Tests_Bed_Bug_Control_Tech_March_2015.pdf
Cardiovascular Health, Traffic-related Air Pollution and Noise: Are associations mutually confounded? A systematic review
Topics: Air, Built Environment, Nuisance Control, Outdoor Air Location: General, Canada
This review assessed the confounding effect of one traffic-related exposure (noise or air pollutants) on the association between the other exposure and cardiovascular outcomes. A systematic review was conducted with the databases Medline and Embase. The confounding effects in studies were assessed by using change in the estimate with a 10 % cutoff point. The influence on the change in the...
View Full ArticleTopics: Built Environment, Nuisance Control Location: General, Canada
Noise and Low Frequency SoundThe sound level associated with wind turbines at common residential setbacks is not sufficient to damage hearing, but may lead to annoyance and sleep disturbance.Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)Wind turbines are not significant sources of EMF exposure.Shadow FlickerShadows caused by wind turbine rotors can be annoying, but are not likely to cause epileptic seizures at...
View Full ArticleTopics: Built Environment, Nuisance Control, Pest Control Location: General, Canada
The objective of this paper is to share four Canadian cities’ experiences with bed bug infestations and to explore public health roles in managing them. We summarize presentations from a workshop at the 2010 Canadian Public Health Association Conference which examined the re-emergence of bed bugs in Canada and compared management approaches of municipal and public health authorities in four...
View Full ArticleTopics: Built Environment, Seniors' Environmental Health Location: General, Canada
Inevitably, an aging population will demand significant health and economic costs at personal and societal levels. Emerging evidence highlights that built and social environments both play a role in older adults’ mobility, community engagement and health. It may be the interaction between the person, the built environment, and elements of the social environment that encourage or dissuade an...
Built_and_Social_Environments_Older_Adults_Nov_2012.pdf
Topics: Air, Built Environment, Agriculture, Nuisance Control, Outdoor Air Location: General, Canada
Nearly 200 million tonnes of livestock manure are generated in Canada each year.1 Manure storage and land application tends to produce odour, greenhouse gases, microbes, and particulate matter, which can negatively impact the environment and human health. Occupational exposures of manure management have been linked to psychological stress and adverse effects on the respiratory system and heart...
View Full ArticleCommunity Planning with a Health Equity Lens: Promising Directions and Strategies (UBC Bridge Program)
Topics: Built Environment Location: General, Canada
Community planning has the potential to reduce health inequities. Applying an equity lens to community health planning can encourage greater focus on the process, the implications, and suggested outcomes. Health inequalities are unavoidable; health inequities are differences in health outcomes that are avoidable. Efforts to create vibrant and healthy communities, cities, and neighbourhoods are...
View Full ArticleTopics: Air, Built Environment, Indoor Air, Public Facilities Location: General, Canada
Green building rating systems such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) employ a variety of design solutions to reduce energy and minimize environmental damage. These solutions, such as the use of passive ventilation, do not necessarily lead to improvements in occupant healthPassive ventilation strategies employed to reduce energy can lead to uneven airflow distribution and low...
View Full ArticleTopics: Air, Built Environment, Outdoor Air Location: General, Canada
Active transportation refers mainly to walking and cycling for transportation.Health Benefits: People who use active transportation are, on average, more physically fit, less obese, and have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease compared to people who use only motorized transportation.A shift from motorized transportation to active transportation has the potential for societal benefits...
View Full ArticleTopics: Built Environment Location: General, Canada
This set of fact sheets provides an overview of Healthy Built Environment issues for Environmental Health professionals (EHPs include public health inspectors, environmental health officers, and medical health officers). The aim is to help EHPs collaborate with other stakeholders to promote a Healthy Built Environment (HBE).
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