Influence of High-Density Urban Built Environments on Stroke in China: A Case Study of Wuhan

This paper explores the association between high-density urban built environments and stroke through the spatial regression model. An empirical study based on the disease data of Wuhan in 2015 shows that high-density urban built environments have a significant impact on stroke, and that the city center sees a high prevalence of stroke. Among urban built environment elements, net population density, residential land density, and building density are positively correlated with the risk of stroke, whereas the accessibility of community hospitals, parks, fast-food shops, and bus stops is negatively correlated with it. The mechanism analysis demonstrates that urban built environments have an important impact on stroke through such factors as the natural environment, physical activity, dietary habits, and social capital. Accordingly, the paper proposes that during the healthy city planning process in China, it is essential to reduce net population density and building density and relocate the older adults in city centers. In addition, measures should be taken to improve public service facilities at the block level and to control the risk of stroke in the high-density urban built environment.