The impacts of the built environment on health outcomes
- 27 February 2009
- journal article
- Published by Emerald Publishing in Facilities
- Vol. 27 (3/4), 138-151
- https://doi.org/10.1108/02632770910933152
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework that categorises the features and characteristics of the built environment that impact on health outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – An extensive literature review was carried out. A total of 1,163 abstracts were assessed, leading to 92 papers being reviewed. Findings – There is a considerable amount of evidence linking healthcare environments to patients' health outcomes, despite the lack of clarity in relation to cause-effect relationships. Originality/value – The paper proposes a theoretical framework linking different built environment characteristics to health outcomes. This framework provides a structure to group causal effects according to their relation with design features, materials and ambient properties, art and aesthetic aspects and use of the built environment.Keywords
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