title: Perceived built environment and health-related quality of life in four types of neighborhoods in Xi'an, China.
abstract: Development in Chinese cities is resulting in a diversity of urban environments that may influence health. In a cross-sectional study of 1608 adults in 20 neighborhoods of Xi'an, China, we examined perceptions of neighborhoods using the NEWS-A survey and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) from the SF-12 across four types of neighborhoods: old/planned, old/unplanned, new/high density, and new/low density. Increased accessibility was significantly associated with both higher mental (range: 3.13-5.53 points) and physical (range: 2.06-3.54 points) well-being for all types of neighborhoods. In the new neighborhoods, increased perceived diversity, safety, and esthetics were significantly associated with higher physical and mental well-being. This study can help inform urban planning priorities to improve quality of life as Chinese cities develop.
authors.affiliation: Berkeley Energy and Climate Institute, University of California, Berkeley, 4th Floor, 488 Sutardja Dai Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. Electronic address: mgao@berkeley.edu.
authors.forename: Meiling
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 285 University Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. Electronic address: jahern@berkeley.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahern
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Sciences Division, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 50 University Hall #7360, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. Electronic address: ckoshland@berkeley.edu.
authors.forename: Catherine P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Koshland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D002947:Cities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Built environment; Health-related quality of life (HRQOL); Neighborhood perceptions; Urban development