Pathways for a multi-solving sustainability policy aimed at health (inequalities): A scoping review

Roxana Pollack , University of Glasgow
Jonathan Olsen, University of Glasgow
Alison Heppenstall, University of Glasgow
Andreas Hoehn, University of Glasgow
Jennifer Boyd, University of Glasgow
Victoria Ponce Hardy, University of Glasgow
Jennifer Littlejohn, University of Glasgow
Amy Stevenson, University of Glasgow
Richard Mitchell, University of Glasgow
Petra Meier, University of Glasgow
Jonathan Stokes, University of Glasgow

Introduction: Walkable neighbourhoods have received increasing policy attention with aims of improving individuals' health (inequalities), alongside sustainability. However, there is still a lack of clarity around how intended impacts could be realised. Objective: This review scopes paths between implementation of ‘x-min neighbourhood’ concepts and health (inequality) outcomes from international policy plans. Methods: We initially searched Scopus, Medline and Embase on 11th January 2023. This created the foundation for a grey literature search of planned or implemented models from local and national policy and planning documents as our primary target for extraction. Studies were excluded if they were not available in English and/or published prior to 1980. We extracted bibliographic, setting and concept-related variables, as well as implied pathways linking to health (inequality) outcomes. First results: We included data from a final 110 papers on 37 cities. Health was mentioned as a target outcome in all plans. This included some specific health outcomes but was most often included in very broad terms. Pathways to health fell into three broad themes: proximity, place redesign and environmental protection. Focusing on proximity, impacts were assumed to act via increased active travel, or benefits of increased service use directly. However, most assumptions were incomplete or vague, without a clear evidence-base. Health inequality benefits were assumed in fewer plans. There were, however, concerns in some that inequalities could also increase via gentrification. Conclusions: Pathways to health (and health inequalities) should be more detailed, better structured and referenced in policy plans to aid effective implementation.

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 Presented in Session 33. Policy Effects on Health and Mortality