Green public facilities and residents’ health from a socio-spatial perspective

Background This study conceptualizes green public facilities as green-space resources embedded in urban public-resource allocation and examines the relationship between their spatial distribution and residents’ health from a socio-spatial perspective. Methods Data on 6,871 respondents from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey were linked to green public facility and public transport point-of-interest data and statistical indicators for 82 districts/counties. Weighted ordinary least squares models were estimated with district/county-clustered robust standard errors. Results Greater spatial balance of green public facilities was positively associated with self-rated health in some models, but the associations were small and sensitive to model specification. The association was stronger among respondents with lower occupational status, and this interaction was the most robust finding. Better public transport connectivity was associated with a weaker relationship between spatial balance and health, but this interaction was more sensitive to alternative indicators and the treatment of districts/counties with no recorded green facilities. Discussion These findings suggest that the health relevance of green public facilities should be considered in relation to their provision and spatial distribution, social groups’ capacity to use these resources, and public transport connectivity. Evidence for the occupational-status interaction was more consistent than evidence for the overall association or public transport moderation.