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Association between green space exposure and elderly health: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

bmjopen · 2025-09-30 · canonical JSON source

3 visible annotations · policy: published · automated confidence ≥ 75.00%

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Background Global urbanisation is intensifying alongside steadily expanding older adult populations. The resulting air pollution profoundly impacts human health by exacerbating diseases, particularly among vulnerable elderly groups. Evidence demonstrates that green spaces mitigate air pollutant effects on health. Recent studies indicate green space exposure benefits older adults physiologically, psychologically and socially. However, existing systematic reviews have not synthesised the health impacts on this demographic. Consequently, this protocol outlines a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate how green space exposure affects health outcomes in older adults.Methods and analysis This systematic review protocol adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidelines. A comprehensive search strategy will be applied across: (1) electronic databases (eg, PubMed, Web of Science), (2) the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and (3) the Guidelines International Network database. Grey literature will be searched via GreyNet International, covering records from each database’s inception to November 2024. The study will analyse associations between green space exposure and health outcomes in older adults. Two researchers will independently screen literature, extract data and assess risk of bias. Heterogeneity will be assessed with a focus on study design, exposure variables and outcome measures. If sufficient homogeneity exists, a meta-analysis will be undertaken; otherwise, a narrative synthesis will be performed.Ethics and dissemination This study requires no ethics approval because it uses publicly available data from published studies. The completed review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated at relevant conferences.PROSPERO registration number PROSPERO (CRD42024619700).