Andrew Rundle

Columbia University, Epidemiology, Faculty Member

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Use of Google Street View to Assess Environmental Contributions to Pedestrian Injury

American Journal of Public Health, 2016

Objectives. To demonstrate an information technology–based approach to assess characteristics of ... more Objectives. To demonstrate an information technology–based approach to assess characteristics of streets and intersections associated with injuries that is less costly and time-consuming than location-based studies of pedestrian injury. Methods. We used imagery captured by Google Street View from 2007 to 2011 to assess 9 characteristics of 532 intersections within New York City. We controlled for estimated pedestrian count and estimated the relation between intersections’ characteristics and frequency of injurious collisions. Results. The count of pedestrian injuries at intersections was associated with the presence of marked crosswalks (80% increase; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2%, 218%), pedestrian signals (156% increase; 95% CI = 69%, 259%), nearby billboards (42% increase; 95% CI = 7%, 90%), and bus stops (120% increase; 95% CI = 51%, 220%). Injury incidence per pedestrian was lower at intersections with higher estimated pedestrian volumes. Conclusions. Consistent with in-per...

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397 Procedure Volume and Practice-Based Characteristics are Associated With Adherence to Celiac Disease Biopsy Guidelines

Gastroenterology, 2012

Walkability and obesity in New York City: an examination of differences by scale and subpopulation

Associations between both genetic and environmental biomarkers and lung cancer: Evidence of a greater risk of lung cancer in women smokers

Carcinogenesis

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At odds: why odds ratios in Active Living Research raise concerns and what to do about them

Organochlorine compounds (DDE and PCB) in plasma and breast cyst fluid of women with benign breast disease

Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention

The organochlorines, dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) are per... more The organochlorines, dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) are pervasive environmental contaminants. Results from previous studies have been conflicting regarding the relationship between the internal dose of these organochlorine residues and breast cancer risk. To determine whether these compounds are present in breast cyst fluids and whether cyst fluid and plasma concentrations are correlated, we analyzed organochlorines in paired cyst fluid and plasma samples from 24 subjects using gas chromatography and electron capture detection. All but one of the women had a history of multiple cysts, suggesting that they were at elevated risk for future breast cancer. DDE (a metabolite of dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) was present in 22 of the cyst samples and PCB was detected in 19 of the cyst samples. Organochlorine levels were more concentrated in the plasma than in breast cyst fluids. Levels of DDE in plasma were significantly correlated with those in c...

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Street trees and verdant environments as predictors of childhood asthma in New York City

Using Google Earth to identify and characterize the sexual, social and residential/home neighborhoods of men who have sex with men in New York City

Background: As part of a study investigating whether and how urban neighborhood-level characteris... more Background: As part of a study investigating whether and how urban neighborhood-level characteristics relate to sexual risk behaviors, substance use and depression among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) living in New York City, Google Earth was used to collect geographical data on residential, social and sexual networks. Methods: First, we conducted in-depth interviews to assess the feasibility of asking men to identify and define three neighborhood types, asking men to pinpoint neighborhood locations on a map and draw boundaries around each neighborhood. Second, as part of a survey of a venue-based sample, men were asked to identify and enter, with the help of study staff, these locations directly into Google Earth and then describe the boundaries of each neighborhood. These data were then geocoded, providing maps of the size, location and function of the urban spaces within which MSM live their lives. Findings: In the interviews (N=20) we found that that the...

Where do Gay, Bisexual and Other MSM in NYC Live, Socialize and Have Sex? A Spatial Analysis of Neighborhoods by Race/Ethnicity

Background: Where gay, bisexual and other MSM live, socialize and have sex in New York City (NYC)... more Background: Where gay, bisexual and other MSM live, socialize and have sex in New York City (NYC) and whether this varies by race/ethnicity is unknown. A baseline understanding is required to meet the health and social needs of diverse, urban-dwelling MSM. Methods: In NYCM2M, participants identified their residential, social, most often sex and most recent sex neighborhoods from 347 neighborhoods. Latitude and longitude coordinates of the closest intersection were recorded and randomly jittered within 2010 census tracts. Spatial distributions by race/ethnicity and autocorrelations were assessed in ArcGIS. Results: MSM were spatially concentrated (Moran's I = 0.56; p<.001). African American MSM were concentrated in fewer and different residential neighborhoods (Moran's I = 0.164; p<.001), as compared with white MSM (Moran's I = 0.216; p<.001). Most African American MSM lived in Brooklyn (42%) and the Bronx (21%); more white MSM lived in Manhattan (54%; p<.001)...

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The association between glutathione S-transferase M1 genotype and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-DNA adducts in breast tissue

Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention

A major goal in molecular epidemiology is to identify preventable environmental risk factors and ... more A major goal in molecular epidemiology is to identify preventable environmental risk factors and susceptible subpopulations. In a hospital-based molecular epidemiological case-control study of breast cancer, we investigated the relationship between DNA damage from exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and susceptibility attributable to inherited deletion of the xenobiotic detoxifying gene, glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1). Prior to breast surgery, women (n = 227) were enrolled and interviewed and donated a blood sample. PAH-DNA adduct levels were measured by immunohistochemistry in breast tissue samples retrieved from pathology blocks, and GSTM1 genotype was determined by PCR using WBC DNA. The GSTM1 analysis included 95 cases and 87 benign breast disease controls. GSTM1 genotype was not associated with breast cancer case-control status (odds ratio = 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-1.44). However, the GSTM1 null genotype predicted PAH-DNA adduct levels in malig...

Individual and neighborhood disadvantage modifies the association between neighborhood walkability and BMI

Introduction: Walkable environments have been associated with a lower BMI, but the strength of th... more Introduction: Walkable environments have been associated with a lower BMI, but the strength of this association may depend on population characteristics. We identified four population characteristics to identify historically underserved individuals and neighborhoods (low educational attainment, low household income, black race, and Hispanic ethnicity) in order to test the hypothesis that disadvantaged populations would be more vulnerable to the constraints of their immediate environment, leading to stronger associations between built environment characteristics and BMI. Methods: Height and weight were measured for a diverse sample of 13,102 adults living throughout New York City. Each participant's home address was geocoded and surrounded by a circular buffer with a one-kilometer radius. The composition and built environment characteristics of these areas, along with self-reported individual characteristics, were used to predict BMI using generalized estimating equations. Both i...

The Journal of school health, 2015

Income disparities in US youth in academic achievement appear to widen during the summer because ... more Income disparities in US youth in academic achievement appear to widen during the summer because of discontinued learning among children from lower-income households. Little is known about whether behavioral risk factors for childhood obesity, such as diet and physical activity, also demonstrate a widening difference by income when children are out of school. Data from US children in grades 1-12 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2008 (N = 6796) were used to estimate screen time, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and consumption of calories, vegetables, and added sugar. Linear regression was used to compare among children of households ≤185% and >185% poverty, as well as during the school year versus on school breaks. Children surveyed during summer breaks consumed fewer vegetables (-0.2 cups/day) and more added sugar (+2.1 teaspoons/day), were more active (+4.6 MVPA minutes/day) and watched more television (+18 minutes/day). However, the no...

have lower prevalence of asthma Children living in areas with more street trees

Background: The prevalence of childhood asthma in the USA increased by 50% from 1980 to 2000, wit... more Background: The prevalence of childhood asthma in the USA increased by 50% from 1980 to 2000, with especially high prevalence in poor urban communities. Methods: Data on the prevalence of asthma among children aged 4-5 years and on hospitalisations for asthma among children less than 15 years old were available for 42 health service catchment areas within New York City. Street tree counts were provided by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. The proximity to pollution sources, sociodemographic characteristics and population density for each area were also measured. Results: Controlling for potential confounders, an increase in tree density of 1 standard deviation (SD, 343 trees/km 2 ) was associated with a lower prevalence of asthma (RR, 0.71 per SD of tree density; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.79), but not with hospitalisations for asthma (RR, 0.89 per SD of tree density; 95% CI, 0.75 to 1.06). Conclusions: Street trees were associated with a lower prevalence of early childhood asthma. This study does not permit inference that trees are causally related to asthma at the individual level. The PlaNYC sustainability initiative, which includes a commitment to plant one million trees by the year 2017, offers an opportunity for a large prospective evaluation.

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Association of proximity and density of parks and objectively measured physical activity in the United States: A systematic review

Social Science & Medicine, 2015

One strategy for increasing physical activity is to create and enhance access to park space. We a... more One strategy for increasing physical activity is to create and enhance access to park space. We assessed the literature on the relationship of parks and objectively measured physical activity in population-based studies in the United States (US) and identified limitations in current built environment and physical activity measurement and reporting. Five English-language scholarly databases were queried using standardized search terms. Abstracts were screened for the following inclusion criteria: 1) published between January 1990 and June 2013; 2) US-based with a sample size greater than 100 individuals; 3) included built environment measures related to parks or trails; and 4) included objectively measured physical activity as an outcome. Following initial screening for inclusion by two independent raters, articles were abstracted into a database. Of 10,949 abstracts screened, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Five articles reported a significant positive association between parks and physical activity. Nine studies found no association, and six studies had mixed findings. Our review found that even among studies with objectively measured physical activity, the association between access to parks and physical activity varied between studies, possibly due to heterogeneity of exposure measurement. Self-reported (vs. independently-measured) neighborhood park environment characteristics and smaller (vs. larger) buffer sizes were more predictive of physical activity. We recommend strategies for further research, employing standardized reporting and innovative study designs to better understand the relationship of parks and physical activity.

Food environments are relevant to recruitment and adherence in dietary modification trials

Nutrition Research, 2015

Few studies have examined the built environment&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;a... more Few studies have examined the built environment&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s role in recruitment to and adherence in dietary intervention trials. Using data from a randomized dietary modification trial of urban Latina breast cancer survivors, we tested the hypotheses that neighborhood produce access could act as a potential barrier and/or facilitator to recruitment, and that a participant&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s produce availability would be associated with increased fruit/vegetable intake, one of the intervention&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s targets. Eligible women who lived within a higher produce environment had a non-significant trend towards being more likely to enroll in the trial. Among enrollees, women who had better neighborhood access to produce had a non-significant trend toward increasing fruit/vegetable consumption. As these were not a priori hypotheses to test, we consider these analyses to be hypothesis generating and not confirmatory. Results suggest that participants&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; food environment should be considered when recruiting to and assessing the adherence of dietary intervention studies.

Molecular epidemiology of physical activity and cancer

Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology, 2005

As in other areas of epidemiology, researchers studying physical activity and cancer have begun t... more As in other areas of epidemiology, researchers studying physical activity and cancer have begun to include laboratory analyses of biological specimens in their studies. The incorporation of these "biomarkers" into epidemiology has been termed molecular epidemiology and is an approach primarily developed to study chemical carcinogens. Thus far, there has been no discussion in the field on how the established molecular epidemiologic framework might be adapted for research into physical activity, what methodologic needs exist, what the goals of such an approach might be, and what limitations exist. This article relates the literature on molecular epidemiology to the needs of physical activity research and tries to set research priorities for the field as it moves in this new direction. Although this approach will be very useful for investigating the mechanisms through which physical activity exerts effects, there are several challenges for physical activity epidemiologists in...

Prenatal exposure to antibiotics, cesarean section and risk of childhood obesity

International journal of obesity (2005), Jan 11, 2014

Background/Objectives:Cesarean section (CS) and antibiotic use during pregnancy may alter normal ... more Background/Objectives:Cesarean section (CS) and antibiotic use during pregnancy may alter normal maternal-offspring microbiota exchange, thereby contributing to aberrant microbial colonization of the infant gut and increased susceptibility to obesity later in life. We hypothesized that (i) maternal use of antibiotics in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and (ii) CS are independently associated with higher risk of childhood obesity in the offspring.Subjects/Methods:Of the 727 mothers enrolled in the Northern Manhattan Mothers and Children Study, we analyzed the 436 mother-child dyads followed until 7 years of age with complete data. We ascertained prenatal antibiotic use by a questionnaire administered late in the third trimester, and delivery mode by medical record. We derived age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) z-scores using the CDC SAS Macro, and defined obesity as BMI z⩾95th percentile. We used binary regression with robust variance and linear regression models ...

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Ethnic enclaves and gestational diabetes among immigrant women in New York City

Social science & medicine (1982), 2014

Previous research has shown that immigrants living in their own ethnic enclave are at decreased r... more Previous research has shown that immigrants living in their own ethnic enclave are at decreased risk of poor health outcomes, but this question has not been studied in relation to gestational diabetes, an important early marker of lifecourse cardiovascular health. We ascertained gestational diabetes, census tract of residence, and individual-level covariates for Sub-Saharan African, Chinese, South Central Asian, Non-Hispanic Caribbean, Dominican, Puerto Rican, Mexican, and Central and South American migrant women using linked birth-hospital discharge data for 89,703 singleton live births in New York City for the years 2001-2002. Using 2000 census data, for each immigrant group we defined a given census tract as part of an ethnic enclave based on the population distribution for the corresponding ethnic group. We estimated odds ratios for associations between living in an ethnic enclave and risk of gestational diabetes adjusted for neighborhood deprivation, percent commercial space, e...

Steps Forward: Review and Recommendations for Research on Walkability, Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health

Public health reviews, 2012

Built environments that support walking and other physical activities have the potential to reduc... more Built environments that support walking and other physical activities have the potential to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD). Walkable neighborhoods-characterized by density, land use diversity, and well-connected transportation networks-have been linked to more walking, less obesity, and lower coronary heart disease risk. Yet ongoing research on pedestrian-friendly built environments has the potential to address important gaps. While much of the literature has focused on urban form and planning characteristics, additional aspects of street-scapes, such as natural and architectural amenities, should also be considered. Promising future directions include (1) integration of multiple built environment measures that facilitate an understanding of how individuals perceive and act within their environment; (2) examination of both the daily physical activities that are most feasibly influenced by the local environment and those more deliberate or vigorous patterns of physical activity ...

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Urban Design Qualities for New York City

Measuring Urban Design, 2013

Use of Google Street View to Assess Environmental Contributions to Pedestrian Injury

American Journal of Public Health, 2016

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397 Procedure Volume and Practice-Based Characteristics are Associated With Adherence to Celiac Disease Biopsy Guidelines

Gastroenterology, 2012

Walkability and obesity in New York City: an examination of differences by scale and subpopulation

Associations between both genetic and environmental biomarkers and lung cancer: Evidence of a greater risk of lung cancer in women smokers

Carcinogenesis

Download

At odds: why odds ratios in Active Living Research raise concerns and what to do about them

Organochlorine compounds (DDE and PCB) in plasma and breast cyst fluid of women with benign breast disease

Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention

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Street trees and verdant environments as predictors of childhood asthma in New York City

Using Google Earth to identify and characterize the sexual, social and residential/home neighborhoods of men who have sex with men in New York City

Where do Gay, Bisexual and Other MSM in NYC Live, Socialize and Have Sex? A Spatial Analysis of Neighborhoods by Race/Ethnicity

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The association between glutathione S-transferase M1 genotype and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-DNA adducts in breast tissue

Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention

Individual and neighborhood disadvantage modifies the association between neighborhood walkability and BMI

The Journal of school health, 2015

have lower prevalence of asthma Children living in areas with more street trees

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Association of proximity and density of parks and objectively measured physical activity in the United States: A systematic review

Social Science & Medicine, 2015

Food environments are relevant to recruitment and adherence in dietary modification trials

Nutrition Research, 2015

Molecular epidemiology of physical activity and cancer

Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology, 2005

Prenatal exposure to antibiotics, cesarean section and risk of childhood obesity

International journal of obesity (2005), Jan 11, 2014

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Ethnic enclaves and gestational diabetes among immigrant women in New York City

Social science & medicine (1982), 2014

Steps Forward: Review and Recommendations for Research on Walkability, Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health

Public health reviews, 2012

Download

Urban Design Qualities for New York City

Measuring Urban Design, 2013

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