Impact of variables of urban form on the cardiorespiratory conditions of residents of João Pessoa

Complex interactions between urban form and the urban thermal environment are a primary factor contributing to the health-related, social, economic, and environmental problems caused by urbanization. This study aims to establish a relationship between surface temperature and form variables of the urban environment and the number of cardiorespiratory deaths among residents of 10 neighborhoods of João Pessoa between 2013 and 2019. Landsat 8 satellite images were used to obtain the surface temperature (Ts) of specific neighborhoods in the city. Official health records and city maps were obtained from the official health regulatory agencies in João Pessoa. The QGIS and R platforms were used to develop death density maps, nearest neighbor analysis, Pearson correlation, and regression models between surface temperature and urban form data and deaths in João Pessoa from cardiorespiratory causes between 2013 and 2019. This study revealed a positive correlation between higher surface temperatures and increased rates of cardiorespiratory death. Additionally, aspects of urban form, particularly the presence of commercial areas and mixed-use areas, significantly affect mortality rates, especially among older populations. Green spaces did not have a statistically significant effect on mitigating these outcomes at various scales of analysis. These findings underscore the critical implications of urban design and land use in public health, particularly in the face of climate change. An integrated approach to urban planning that considers the health impacts of urban form and surface temperatures is necessary.