THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN NEIGHBOURHOOD BLUE SPACE AND HEALTH RESPONSES: A PILOT STUDY OF OLDER ADULTS

The positive impact of the natural environment on human health has been confirmed by related theories and practices. Blue space, as an important part of the natural environment, is often undervalued in nature and health research. This study selected neighbourhood blue spaces, the most likely to be visited frequently, to further explore their impact on the health of adults over 45 years of age. Three neighbourhoods with outdoor blue space in Xi'an, China, were initially identified by the field investigation method. A total of 92 adults who used blue space were investigated by a questionnaire survey. Preliminary findings found that older adults who visit the neighbourhood blue space mainly participate in activities that are indirectly in contact with water bodies, such as chatting, walking, sunbathing, and physical exercise. In addition, residents who frequently (at least once a week) visit blue space are more likely to report good health. Specifically, there was a lower proportion of bad general health outcomes (4.8%) and a higher probability of high wellbeing (p=0.003). The results suggested that regular exposure to blue space could positively affect older adults’ health and wellbeing. In the context of population aging, actively exploring the beneficial impact of urban blue space on the health of the elderly will provide scientific reference for healthy aging and healthy city construction.