Built to Thrive: How Urban Design Shapes Health in the U.S.

<p dir="ltr">In 2022, the United States allocated over $4 trillion to healthcare, yet public health outcomes remain suboptimal, with high rates of preventable diseases and disparities in mental and physical well-being. The built environment—an essential but underexplored determinant of health—shapes urban populations' exposure to environmental risks and influences key health metrics. This study evaluates the relationships between built environment characteristics and health outcomes across 19 major U.S. metropolitan areas, incorporating diverse climates, urban designs, and geographic contexts. Utilizing methodologies such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to extract building characteristics from Google Street View imagery and machine-learning models like XGBoost, the research identifies critical factors affecting health outcomes. Key variables, including building material composition, foundation types, air conditioning prevalence, and land coverage, were analyzed alongside health indicators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The findings reveal significant associations between the built environment and public health, with lead contamination linked to adverse outcomes, while traditional materials like wood and masonry correlated with better mental health metrics. Air conditioning availability emerged as a critical variable positively influencing both physical and mental well-being. Geographic variations underscored the role of regional design and environmental factors in shaping health disparities. This study bridges gaps in existing research by offering actionable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and public health advocates, emphasizing the importance of addressing environmental hazards and promoting high-quality urban design to improve population health.</p><p><br></p>