University of Louisville researcher trying to improve public health with trees

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A doctor at the University of Louisville is working to find a solution for an environmental problem that is affecting people's health.

Louisville is losing tens of thousands of trees every year, and a local doctor believes there is a correlation between green space and life-threatening diseases.

Diane Clifford has had her share of health problems.

"I have diabetes, I had a heart problem but they fixed it with my pacemaker," Clifford said. "Over the years, I've had many health problems, many surgeries."

Clifford lives in Louisville's Beechmont neighborhood across the street from Wyandotte Park and the Watterson Expressway. She's concerned about air pollution.

"When they're over in the ballpark playing ball or soccer or whatever they're playing," Clifford said. "There's a lot of cars down here parking and there's a lot of exhaust on the street too."

Researchers at the University of Louisville have the same concerns.

"This is part of a national epidemic," Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar said.

Bhatnagar is a professor of medicine in the Department of Medicine at the University of Louisville. He said the problem is related to the number of trees the city loses every year.

"Many years ago, we lost all the chestnut trees in the United States," said Bhatnagar. "After that, there was something called the bora Beatle that attacks ash trees, so we have lost millions of ash trees around the country."

Bhatnagar is part of the Green Heart Initiative, an effort to decrease the level of air pollution by increasing the amount of green space with trees and shrubs.

"We planted almost 8,000 large trees and shrubs in the area," he said.

The goal is to determine whether an increase in green space will improve the quality of life for people in areas like the Beechmont neighborhood. There are more than 500 volunteers.

"We think that we have testing and the idea is that maybe it will decrease the levels of air pollution from the freeway into the neighborhood and thereby improve the health of the people," Bhatnagar said.

Clifford has lived in the neighborhood since 2009. She isn't one of the volunteers, but she is glad her neighborhood is part of the study.

"South end really needs it," Clifford said.

Green Heart Project seeks to demonstrate the scientific link between nature and human health. The group is focused on using a nature-based approach to address air pollution and chronic disease.

Louisville has received an F grade from the American Lung Association for annual ozone days since 2012. The city's air quality ranks among the worst in Kentucky.

The city's tree canopy loses about 54,000 trees per year. People between the ages of 25 to 70 in six South Louisville neighborhoods are being asked to participate in the study.

People can register online to participate in the Green Heart HEAL Study.

To learn more about the project, visit Green Heart Louisville's website.