Anticipated Date of Graduation

Spring 2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences

Department

Mathematical Sciences

First Advisor

Doug Darbro

Abstract

This thesis explores the relationship between urban greenspace and forestry and COVID-19 severity in Seattle, Washington. Urban greenspace and forestry has been shown to play an important role in reducing air pollution, which can exacerbate COVID-19 severity. Community demographics have been shown to affect the greenspace-health relationship, therefore demographic information was included in the study. Four logistic models were created to examine the relationship between urban greenspace and forestry and COVID-19 severity. Two models examined the relationship between greenspace and COVID-19 hospitalizations and mortality respectively. A further two models included community demographics as predictor variables. The findings indicated that tree density is linked with lower COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality rates when demographic information is not included in the model. Coniferous tree density is negatively associated with mortality rates both when demographic information is included and when it is not. Unexpectedly, tree canopy cover was significantly associated with higher hospitalization rates in both hospitalization models. In the greenspace only models, the normalized difference vegetation index was also associated with higher hospitalization and mortality rates. These findings contribute to the limited body of knowledge on the relationship between neighborhood greenspace and forestry and COVID-19 hospitalizations and mortality.

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