While we don’t always think about it, where we live plays a role in determining how healthy we are. Being exposed to air pollution or green spaces can affect our risks of getting certain diseases.
Associate professor Paul Villeneuve has worked with graduate students at Carleton’s Department of Health Sciences to conduct studies on the links between environmental exposure and health risks.
The Charlatan spoke to Villeneuve about the findings of his research.
TC: What the main focus of your health research is?
PV: Some of the studies I’m involved in are looking at people who live in areas where there’s higher air pollution—and lived there for a long time—have an increased risk of developing things like diabetes and hypertension. I’m also interested in the effects of green space. For example, if people live in areas where they have greater access to things like parks, does it lead them to exercise more? Also whether they have lower rates of obesity, and also have lower risks of getting certain types of diseases.
TC: What are some of your study’s findings?
PV: The studies found that, for example, people who live in greener neighbourhoods and cities have lower rates of mortality. Some of the studies I’ve been involved with in terms of air pollution have shown that people in Ontario who are exposed to higher levels of some pollutants have increased risks of developing diabetes and hypertension.
TC: What are some of the benefits of researching factors that can cause health risks?
PV: Well, first of all we want to better understand what in the environment is increasing the risk of certain diseases. If current levels of air pollution, for example, are not really adversely affecting human health, then the policy-makers wouldn’t have the motivation to try to reduce the levels. I think a big part of it is understanding what the risks are, and people who are working towards developing policies around these environmental exposures can use this information to help guide them in setting the right limits.
TC: Do you have further plans of expanding your study, particularly regarding how someone’s environment can affect their health risks?
PV: Well, we’re in the midst of doing a couple more studies. One where we’re doing a study looking at the relationship between air pollution and the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Another study we’re trying to get up and running is looking at the impact of living in greener neighbourhoods and birth outcomes.
