A new paper by Joachim Gotink and Sylvie Gadeyne titled "Perception of the Residential Living Environment: The Relationship Between Objective and Subjective Indicators of the Residential Living Environment and Health" has just been published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The full text is available here.
Many studies have shown that air pollution, noise, and green spaces impact health. However, less is known about the role of subjective perception—how people experience their environment—in this relationship. In this study, we analyzed data from the 2001 Belgian census, linking mortality records (2001–2016) with objective environmental indicators (air and noise pollution, green spaces) in the Brussels Capital Region. We found that people who perceive their living environment negatively have a higher risk of mortality, even when accounting for socio-demographic factors. Interestingly, while objective air pollution and green spaces were also associated with mortality, the way people perceived their environment influenced these effects. Those who were satisfied with their environment but lived in poor conditions faced the highest mortality risk. These findings highlight the importance of not only improving environmental conditions but also understanding how people perceive their surroundings and the role of coping mechanisms. Future policies should take both objective and subjective aspects into account in urban planning and public health.
Citation: Gotink, J., & Gadeyne, S. (2025). Perception of the Residential Living Environment: The Relationship Between Objective and Subjective Indicators of the Residential Living Environment and Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(3), 391.
