The Canadian Environmental Quality Index (Can-EQI): Development and calculation of an index to assess spatial variation of environmental quality in Canada's 30 largest cities

Zoë Davis; Margaret de Groh; Daniel G Rainham

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2022.107633

The Canadian Environmental Quality Index (Can-EQI): Development and calculation of an index to assess spatial variation of environmental quality in Canada's 30 largest cities

Environ Int. 2022 Dec:170:107633. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107633. Epub 2022 Nov 15.

Authors

Zoë Davis¹, Margaret de Groh², Daniel G Rainham³

Affiliations

¹ School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia.
² Centre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
³ School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada. Electronic address: daniel.rainham@dal.ca.

PMID: 36413927
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107633

Abstract

Background: Multiple characteristics of the urban environment have been shown to influence population health and health-related behaviours, though the distribution and combined effects of these characteristics on health is less understood. A composite measure of multiple environmental conditions would allow for comparisons among different urban areas; however, this measure is not available in Canada.

Objectives: To develop an index of environmental quality for Canada's largest urban areas and to assess the influence of population size on index values.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of potential datasets and consulted with experts to refine and select datasets for inclusion. We identified and selected nine datasets across five domains (outdoor air pollution, natural environments, built environments, radiation, and climate/weather). Datasets were chosen based on known impacts on human health across the life course, complete geographic coverage of the cities of interest, and temporal alignment with the 2016 Canadian census. Each dataset was then summarized into dissemination areas (DAs). The Canadian Environmental Quality Index (Can-EQI) was created by summing decile ranks of each variable based on hypothesized relationships to health outcomes.

Results: We selected 30 cities with a population of more than 100,000 people which included 28,026 DAs and captured approximately 55% of the total Canadian population. Can-EQI scores ranged from 21.1 to 88.9 out of 100, and in Canada's largest cities were 10.2 (95% CI: -10.7, -9.7) points lower than the smallest cities. Mapping the Can-EQI revealed high geographic variability within and between cities.

Discussion: Our work demonstrates a valuable methodology for exploring variations in environmental conditions in Canada's largest urban areas and provides a means for exploring the role of environmental factors in explaining urban health inequalities and disparities. Additionally, the Can-EQI may be of value to municipal planners and decision makers considering the allocation of investments to improve urban conditions.

Keywords: Air quality; Built and natural environment; Temperature extremes; UV exposure; Urban environmental health.

MeSH terms

Air Pollution*
Built Environment
Canada
Censuses
Cities
Environmental Health*
Hot Temperature
Humans