Benjamin W Wheeler
Biographic Data
| ID | 706378 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Benjamin W Wheeler |
| GIVEN NAMES | Benjamin W |
| FAMILY NAME | Wheeler |
| SIGNATURE | WHEELER B W |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Exeter |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-9404-5936 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 42 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 298 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 43 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1931 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 10 |
The restorative power of blue spaces
Living in urbanised areas can deplete cognitive and emotional resources. To help restore them, many people seek out natural locations. Blue spaces (e.g. rivers, lakes, coasts) are among people’s favourite restorative settings, but we know little about the importance of type or quality for psychological restoration, or the role of nature connectedness. Using survey data from 19 countries (n = 17,131), we explored the extent to which participants p…
The green gap framework
Despite the well-documented benefits of engaging with nature, up to a quarter of the UK population rarely utilises their urban greenspaces. This is despite evidence that those who engage the least with greenspace could derive the most significant health benefits from such interactions. Addressing this gap is a focus of the GroundsWell consortium, a large research programme that aims to transform access to urban green and blue spaces to improve he…
Street trees and mental health
We considered the relationship between street trees and mental health with the aim of developing systems thinking-informed hypotheses to improve the implementation and evaluation of this popular nature-based solution (NBS). We integrated qualitative and quantitative evidence using causal loop diagraming (CLD), and then further analyzed and extended these diagrams with the aid of systems archetypes to identify key system structures. From these CLD…
Urban greenspace and anxiety symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemic
This study examined the association between greenspace and the growth trajectories of anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from 19,848 urban residents in England who were followed for 20 months between March 2020 and October 2021, we found that living in an area with higher greenspace coverage (exposure) was associated with fewer anxiety symptoms independent of population density, area deprivation levels, socio-demographics, …
An ecosystem service perspective on urban nature, physical activity, and health
Nature underpins human well-being in critical ways, especially in health. Nature provides pollination of nutritious crops, purification of drinking water, protection from floods, and climate security, among other well-studied health benefits. A crucial, yet challenging, research frontier is clarifying how nature promotes physical activity for its many mental and physical health benefits, particularly in densely populated cities with scarce and dw…
From Fair data to fair data use
The paper problematises the reliability and ethics of using social media data, such as sourced from Twitter or Instagram, to carry out health-related research. As in many other domains, the opportunity to mine social media for information has been hailed as transformative for research on well-being and disease. Considerations around the fairness, responsibilities and accountabilities relating to using such data have often been set aside, on the u…
Spending time in the garden is positively associated with health and wellbeing
Research Note
Varied categorisations of residential distance to bluespace in population health studies make comparisons difficult. Using survey data from eighteen countries, we modelled relationships between residential distance to blue spaces (coasts, lakes, and rivers), and self-reported recreational visits to these environments at least weekly, with penalised regression splines. We observed exponential declines in visit probability with increasing distance …
Neighbourhood greenspace and smoking prevalence
Nature and mental health
We provide consensus on the benefits of nature experience for mental health, and a model for integrating them into urban design.
Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing
Spending time in natural environments can benefit health and well-being, but exposure-response relationships are under-researched. We examined associations between recreational nature contact in the last seven days and self-reported health and well-being. Participants (n = 19,806) were drawn from the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment Survey (2014/15–2015/16); weighted to be nationally representative. Weekly contact was categorise…
Neighbourhood blue space, health and wellbeing
BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that living near blue spaces such as the coast, lakes and rivers may be good for health and wellbeing. Although greater levels of physical activity (PA) may be a potential mechanism, we know little about the types of PA that might account for this. OBJECTIVES: To explore the mediating role of: a) 'watersports' (e.g. sailing/canoeing); b) 'on-land outdoor PA' in natural/mixed settings (e.g. walking/running/cycling); a…
Environmental, health, wellbeing, social and equity effects of urban green space interventions
BACKGROUND: As populations become increasingly urbanised, the preservation of urban green space (UGS) becomes paramount. UGS is not just dedicated recreational space such as public parks, but other types of informal green space are important, for example, street trees and roof gardens. Despite the potential from cross-sectional evidence, we know little about how to design new, or improve or promote existing UGS for health, wellbeing, social and e…
Coastal proximity and mental health among urban adults in England
After adjusting for covariates, self-reported general health in England is higher among populations living closer to the coast, and the association is strongest amongst more deprived groups. We explored whether similar findings were present for mental health using cross-sectional data for urban adults in the Health Survey for England (2008-2012, N ≥25,963). For urban adults, living ≤1 km from the coast, in comparison to >50 km, was associated wit…
Public involvement in research about environmental change and health
Involving and engaging the public are crucial for effective prioritisation, dissemination and implementation of research about the complex interactions between environments and health. Involvement is also important to funders and policy makers who often see it as vital for building trust and justifying the investment of public money. In public health research, 'the public' can seem an amorphous target for researchers to engage with, and the short…
Everyday green space and experienced well-being
A broad and growing evidence base suggests the potential for time spent in natural environments to promote human health and well-being. Whilst evidence of such benefits is rapidly accumulating, we still know relatively little about the role of wildlife encounters in shaping the well-being potential of people’s routine green/blue space interactions, particularly amongst non-specialists. This article addresses this conceptual gap, drawing on the fi…
Natural environments and subjective wellbeing
Using Geonarratives to Explore the Diverse Temporalities of Therapeutic Landscapes
A growing evidence base highlights “green” and “blue” spaces as examples of “therapeutic landscapes” incorporated into people's lives to maintain a sense of well-being. A commonly overlooked dimension within this corpus of work concerns the dynamic nature of people's therapeutic place assemblages over time. This article provides these novel temporal perspectives, drawing on the findings of an innovative three-stage interpretive geonarrative study…
Attention Restoration Theory
Exploring the relationship between childhood obesity and proximity to the coast
Beyond greenspace
BACKGROUND: Many studies suggest that exposure to natural environments ('greenspace') enhances human health and wellbeing. Benefits potentially arise via several mechanisms including stress reduction, opportunity and motivation for physical activity, and reduced air pollution exposure. However, the evidence is mixed and sometimes inconclusive. One explanation may be that "greenspace" is typically treated as a homogenous environment type. However,…
Distance from practice moderates the relationship between patient management involving nurse telephone triage consulting and patient satisfaction with care
The ESTEEM trial was a randomised-controlled trial of telephone triage consultations in general practice. We conducted exploratory analyses on data from 9154 patients from 42 UK general practices who returned a questionnaire containing self-reported ratings of satisfaction with care following a request for a same-day consultation. Mode of care was identified through case notes review. There were seven main types: a GP face-to-face consultation, G…
Using GPS and geo‐narratives
This methods paper contributes to the recent proliferation of methodological innovation aimed at nurturing research encounters and exchanges that facilitate in‐depth insights into people's everyday practices and routine place encounters. By drawing on the experiences of an interpretive study seeking to situate people's green space wellbeing practices within their daily lives, we suggest value in using personalised maps – produced using participan…
Seeking everyday wellbeing
Recent research suggests coastal environments may promote human health and wellbeing. This article explores the diverse coastal experiences sought out by residents of two towns in south west England to promote and preserve their personal wellbeing in the context of their everyday lives. It draws on the findings of an in-depth interpretive study conducted from May to November 2013 that examined the relative contribution of varied green and blue sp…
Longitudinal Effects on Mental Health of Moving to Greener and Less Green Urban Areas
Despite growing evidence of public health benefits from urban green space there has been little longitudinal analysis. This study used panel data to explore three different hypotheses about how moving to greener or less green areas may affect mental health over time. The samples were participants in the British Household Panel Survey with mental health data (General Health Questionnaire scores) for five consecutive years, and who relocated to a d…
Seeking everyday wellbeing
Recent research suggests coastal environments may promote human health and wellbeing. This article explores the diverse coastal experiences sought out by residents of two towns in south west England to promote and preserve their personal wellbeing in the context of their everyday lives. It draws on the findings of an in-depth interpretive study conducted from May to November 2013 that examined the relative contribution of varied green and blue sp…
Does living by the coast improve health and wellbeing
Using Geonarratives to Explore the Diverse Temporalities of Therapeutic Landscapes
A growing evidence base highlights “green” and “blue” spaces as examples of “therapeutic landscapes” incorporated into people's lives to maintain a sense of well-being. A commonly overlooked dimension within this corpus of work concerns the dynamic nature of people's therapeutic place assemblages over time. This article provides these novel temporal perspectives, drawing on the findings of an innovative three-stage interpretive geonarrative study…
Coastal proximity, health and well-being
Using GPS and geo‐narratives
This methods paper contributes to the recent proliferation of methodological innovation aimed at nurturing research encounters and exchanges that facilitate in‐depth insights into people's everyday practices and routine place encounters. By drawing on the experiences of an interpretive study seeking to situate people's green space wellbeing practices within their daily lives, we suggest value in using personalised maps – produced using participan…
Everyday green space and experienced well-being
A broad and growing evidence base suggests the potential for time spent in natural environments to promote human health and well-being. Whilst evidence of such benefits is rapidly accumulating, we still know relatively little about the role of wildlife encounters in shaping the well-being potential of people’s routine green/blue space interactions, particularly amongst non-specialists. This article addresses this conceptual gap, drawing on the fi…
Geography of suicide in Taiwan
What can global positioning systems tell us about the contribution of different types of urban greenspace to children's physical activity
Pokies and poverty
Environmental equity, air quality, socioeconomic status, and respiratory health
Study objective: To assess relations between socioeconomic status and local air quality, and combined effects on respiratory health, in the context of environmental and health inequality. Design: Data on people taking part in the Health Survey for England were attributed with a small area index of air pollution using annual mean concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, benzene, and particulates (PM 10 ). Regression models were used to…
Poverty and Place in Britain, 1968-99
To date, analyses of long-term trends in the spatial distribution of poverty in Britain have been frustrated by a lack of consistency in definitions, data sources and measures, as well as by changes over time in census and administrative geographies. This paper draws upon a series of national poverty surveys in order to derive methodologically consistent estimates of breadline and core poverty. These models are then applied to census data in orde…
Coastal proximity and mental health among urban adults in England
After adjusting for covariates, self-reported general health in England is higher among populations living closer to the coast, and the association is strongest amongst more deprived groups. We explored whether similar findings were present for mental health using cross-sectional data for urban adults in the Health Survey for England (2008-2012, N ≥25,963). For urban adults, living ≤1 km from the coast, in comparison to >50 km, was associated wit…
Natural environments and subjective wellbeing
Health-Related Environmental Indices and Environmental Equity in England and Wales
This study developed small-area health-related environmental indices for England and Wales in the context of an investigation into socioeconomic inequity in the distribution of environmental risk. Selection of environmental hazards, relevant datasets, and their attribution to standard small-area geography using a geographic information system are described. Four indices for 1991 Census wards are proposed, relating to ambient air quality, atmosphe…
Neighbourhood greenspace and smoking prevalence
Paradigmatic approaches to studying environment and human health
Changes in the geography of suicide in young men
BACKGROUND: Suicide rates changed considerably in men aged <45 years in England and Wales between 1980 and 2005. The impact of these changes on the geographic distribution of suicide is unknown. METHODS: Mapping of geo-coded standardised mortality ratios for suicide in 1113 census tracts (mean population 46 000) in England and Wales, smoothed using Bayesian hierarchical models, for 15-44 year old men during 1981-1985, 1991-1995 and 2001-2005. RES…
From Fair data to fair data use
The paper problematises the reliability and ethics of using social media data, such as sourced from Twitter or Instagram, to carry out health-related research. As in many other domains, the opportunity to mine social media for information has been hailed as transformative for research on well-being and disease. Considerations around the fairness, responsibilities and accountabilities relating to using such data have often been set aside, on the u…
Public involvement in research about environmental change and health
Involving and engaging the public are crucial for effective prioritisation, dissemination and implementation of research about the complex interactions between environments and health. Involvement is also important to funders and policy makers who often see it as vital for building trust and justifying the investment of public money. In public health research, 'the public' can seem an amorphous target for researchers to engage with, and the short…
The First American Mint
Amerika und Europa von Marlborough bis Mirabeau. Die weltpolitische Bedeutung des belgisch-bairischen Tauschprojekts im Rahmen der hydro-geographischen Donau-Rhein-Scheldepolitik und der österreichisc…
The First American Mint
Health-Related Environmental Indices and Environmental Equity in England and Wales
This study developed small-area health-related environmental indices for England and Wales in the context of an investigation into socioeconomic inequity in the distribution of environmental risk. Selection of environmental hazards, relevant datasets, and their attribution to standard small-area geography using a geographic information system are described. Four indices for 1991 Census wards are proposed, relating to ambient air quality, atmosphe…
Pokies and poverty
Environmental equity, air quality, socioeconomic status, and respiratory health
Study objective: To assess relations between socioeconomic status and local air quality, and combined effects on respiratory health, in the context of environmental and health inequality. Design: Data on people taking part in the Health Survey for England were attributed with a small area index of air pollution using annual mean concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, benzene, and particulates (PM 10 ). Regression models were used to…
The handbook of inequality and socioeconomic position
Part one: Key concepts: Deprivation Ethnicity Health equity audits (HEAs)/profiles Inequality/equality Inequity/equity Lay epidemiology Life course socioeconomic position Living standards Official and vital statistics Poverty Psychosocial factors Segregation Social capital Social class Social exclusion Social mobility Social status Social stratification Status inconsistency Wealth Part two: Measures of socioeconomic position: Amenities Benefit cl…
Health impacts of an environmental disaster
At this early point in the 21st century a major concern that we face is the future possible effects of people-induced global warming. The predicted effects are severe, but argued by some to be avoidable if we act now. Here we consider the dimensions of another disaster: one for which not only the causes, but also their horrific consequences, are current worldwide. The implicit question is 'why are we more worried about future disasters than those…
Regulatory guidance on prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants to young people
In 2003 many international medicine regulatory agencies issued warnings concerning the prescribing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants to young people, due to concerns that they increase risks of suicidal behaviour. A US study suggested that this action may have actually caused an increase in suicide rates due to under-treatment of depression, whilst a UK study did not find such an increase
Geography of suicide in Taiwan
Poverty and Place in Britain, 1968-99
To date, analyses of long-term trends in the spatial distribution of poverty in Britain have been frustrated by a lack of consistency in definitions, data sources and measures, as well as by changes over time in census and administrative geographies. This paper draws upon a series of national poverty surveys in order to derive methodologically consistent estimates of breadline and core poverty. These models are then applied to census data in orde…
Atlas of epidemic Britain
Atlas of epidemic Britain: a twentieth century picture, by Matthew Smallman-Raynor and Andrew Cliff, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2012, 207pp., £225.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-0-19-957292-2 The st
Paradigmatic approaches to studying environment and human health
What can global positioning systems tell us about the contribution of different types of urban greenspace to children's physical activity
Does living by the coast improve health and wellbeing
Changes in the geography of suicide in young men
BACKGROUND: Suicide rates changed considerably in men aged <45 years in England and Wales between 1980 and 2005. The impact of these changes on the geographic distribution of suicide is unknown. METHODS: Mapping of geo-coded standardised mortality ratios for suicide in 1113 census tracts (mean population 46 000) in England and Wales, smoothed using Bayesian hierarchical models, for 15-44 year old men during 1981-1985, 1991-1995 and 2001-2005. RES…
Would You Be Happier Living in a Greener Urban Area? A Fixed-Effects Analysis of Panel Data
Urbanization is a potential threat to mental health and well-being. Cross-sectional evidence suggests that living closer to urban green spaces, such as parks, is associated with lower mental distress. However, earlier research was unable to control for time-invariant heterogeneity (e.g., personality) and focused on indicators of poor psychological health. The current research advances the field by using panel data from over 10,000 individuals to …
Coastal proximity, health and well-being
Longitudinal Effects on Mental Health of Moving to Greener and Less Green Urban Areas
Despite growing evidence of public health benefits from urban green space there has been little longitudinal analysis. This study used panel data to explore three different hypotheses about how moving to greener or less green areas may affect mental health over time. The samples were participants in the British Household Panel Survey with mental health data (General Health Questionnaire scores) for five consecutive years, and who relocated to a d…
Green space, health and wellbeing
Beyond greenspace
BACKGROUND: Many studies suggest that exposure to natural environments ('greenspace') enhances human health and wellbeing. Benefits potentially arise via several mechanisms including stress reduction, opportunity and motivation for physical activity, and reduced air pollution exposure. However, the evidence is mixed and sometimes inconclusive. One explanation may be that "greenspace" is typically treated as a homogenous environment type. However,…
Distance from practice moderates the relationship between patient management involving nurse telephone triage consulting and patient satisfaction with care
The ESTEEM trial was a randomised-controlled trial of telephone triage consultations in general practice. We conducted exploratory analyses on data from 9154 patients from 42 UK general practices who returned a questionnaire containing self-reported ratings of satisfaction with care following a request for a same-day consultation. Mode of care was identified through case notes review. There were seven main types: a GP face-to-face consultation, G…
Using GPS and geo‐narratives
This methods paper contributes to the recent proliferation of methodological innovation aimed at nurturing research encounters and exchanges that facilitate in‐depth insights into people's everyday practices and routine place encounters. By drawing on the experiences of an interpretive study seeking to situate people's green space wellbeing practices within their daily lives, we suggest value in using personalised maps – produced using participan…
Seeking everyday wellbeing
Recent research suggests coastal environments may promote human health and wellbeing. This article explores the diverse coastal experiences sought out by residents of two towns in south west England to promote and preserve their personal wellbeing in the context of their everyday lives. It draws on the findings of an in-depth interpretive study conducted from May to November 2013 that examined the relative contribution of varied green and blue sp…
Attention Restoration Theory
Exploring the relationship between childhood obesity and proximity to the coast
Medicine (25 works) · Geography (24 works) · Sociology (23 works) · Urban Green Space and Health (23 works) · Environmental health (16 works) · Psychology (16 works) · Political science (13 works) · Population (13 works) · Computer Science (11 works) · Demography (10 works)