Nonlinear associations and threshold effects between built environment features and schizophrenia incidence: Implications for healthy city planning.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The built environment is a key intervenable target for public health, yet its nonlinear and threshold relationships with schizophrenia incidence remain poorly understood.

Methods

We analyzed township-level schizophrenia incidence (2019-2023) in Anhui, China, using data from the National Severe Mental Disorder Registration System. Built environment features were derived from multi-source geographic data. We characterized spatiotemporal patterns and modeled associations using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), and an interpretable XGBoost model explained by SHAP values.

Results

The mean annual incidence was 13.46 per 100,000, with significant spatial clustering (Moran's I = 0.47, P < 0.001). The SHAP-XGBoost model outperfo

SUBMITTER: Song J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12768946 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature