Chicago urban tree loss linked to increased mortality rates

A study led by researchers from Northwestern University and published in the journal GeoHealth has established a link between the loss of urban tree canopy and increased mortality rates.

Analyzing Chicago census tracts from 2011 to 2021, researchers used satellite imagery and more than 220,000 death records from Illinois and Chicago to track changes. The study found that the trajectory of tree cover is more significant than a static snapshot; as tree canopy decreases over time, mortality rates rise, particularly in the city's hottest neighborhoods.

Climatologist Daniel Horton noted that previous research often focused on single moments in time, whereas this study examined how changes in shade and greenery impact health over several years. The loss of trees is associated with higher deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal issues, and mental health conditions, in addition to the impact of extreme heat.