Welcome to NCH2's Recent Research page. Below you will find links to peer-reviewed papers that relate to the mission of NCH2. Some of the papers listed may be blocked by a paywall. If you are blocked by a paywall try one of these solutions:
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If you have any suggestions for peer reviewed papers that may be of interest for our community, email us at nch2.chicago@gmail.com.
Recent Research
Title: Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being During the COVID-19 Lockdown: Relationships With Motivational Quality and Nature Contexts.
Citation: Jenkins, M., S. Houge Mackenzie, K. Hodge, E. A. Hargreaves, J. R. Calverley and C. Lee (2021). "Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being During the COVID-19 Lockdown: Relationships With Motivational Quality and Nature Contexts." Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 3(43). https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fspor.2021.637576.
Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fspor.2021.637576
Topic: COVID-19, Wellbeing, Physical Activity, New Zealand
Abstract/Overview: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global event that has already had substantive negative impacts on psychological well-being. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity (PA) and psychological well-being during a country-wide COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand. Motivational quality and PA context (nature-based or non-nature-based) were included as potential mediating and moderating variables within this relationship, respectively. Participants completed an online survey assessing psychological well-being, weekly PA levels, and PA during the second and third weeks of the 7 week COVID-19 lockdown period in New Zealand. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. Results showed that PA significantly predicted psychological well-being, with no significant difference evident in psychological well-being dependent on whether PA was nature or non-nature-based. Nature-based PA was a stronger predictor of intrinsic motivation compared to non-nature-based PA, and intrinsic motivation was positively associated with psychological well-being. In contrast, non-nature-based PA was a stronger predictor of introjected regulation compared to nature-based PA, which was negatively associated with psychological well-being. Overall, these findings suggest that (1) weekly PA was associated with increased psychological well-being during the lockdown, and (2) nature-based PA may foster psychological well-being via effects on motivation. The implications for continued participation in PA will be discussed.
Title: How social capital helps communities weather the COVID-19 pandemic
Citation: Makridis, C. A. and C. Wu (2021). "How social capital helps communities weather the COVID-19 pandemic." PLoS One 16(1): e0245135. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33513146
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33513146
Topic: Social capital, COVID-19, Community
Abstract: Why have the effects of COVID-19 been so unevenly geographically distributed in the United States? This paper investigates the role of social capital as a mediating factor for the spread of the virus. Because social capital is associated with greater trust and relationships within a community, it could endow individuals with a greater concern for others, thereby leading to more hygienic practices and social distancing. Using data for over 2,700 US counties, we investigate how social capital explains the level and growth rate of infections. We find that moving a county from the 25th to the 75th percentile of the distribution of social capital would lead to a 18% and 5.7% decline in the cumulative number of infections and deaths, as well as suggestive evidence of a lower spread of the virus. Our results are robust to many demographic characteristics, controls, and alternative measures of social capital.
Title: Pathways linking biodiversity to human health: A conceptual framework
Citation: Marselle, M. R., T. Hartig, D. T. C. Cox, S. de Bell, S. Knapp, S. Lindley, M. Triguero-Mas, K. Böhning-Gaese, M. Braubach, P. A. Cook, S. de Vries, A. Heintz-Buschart, M. Hofmann, K. N. Irvine, N. Kabisch, F. Kolek, R. Kraemer, I. Markevych, D. Martens, R. Müller, M. Nieuwenhuijsen, J. M. Potts, J. Stadler, S. Walton, S. L. Warber and A. Bonn (2021). "Pathways linking biodiversity to human health: A conceptual framework." Environment International 150: 106420. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412021000441
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412021000441
Topic: Biodiversity, human health
Abstract: Biodiversity is a cornerstone of human health and well-being. However, while evidence of the contributions of nature to human health is rapidly building, research into how biodiversity relates to human health remains limited in important respects. In particular, a better mechanistic understanding of the range of pathways through which biodiversity can influence human health is needed. These pathways relate to both psychological and social processes as well as biophysical processes. Building on evidence from across the natural, social and health sciences, we present a conceptual framework organizing the pathways linking biodiversity to human health. Four domains of pathways—both beneficial as well as harmful—link biodiversity with human health: (i) reducing harm (e.g. provision of medicines, decreasing exposure to air and noise pollution); (ii) restoring capacities (e.g. attention restoration, stress reduction); (iii) building capacities (e.g. promoting physical activity, transcendent experiences); and (iv) causing harm (e.g. dangerous wildlife, zoonotic diseases, allergens). We discuss how to test components of the biodiversity-health framework with available analytical approaches and existing datasets. In a world with accelerating declines in biodiversity, profound land-use change, and an increase in non-communicable and zoonotic diseases globally, greater understanding of these pathways can reinforce biodiversity conservation as a strategy for the promotion of health for both people and nature. We conclude by identifying research avenues and recommendations for policy and practice to foster biodiversity-focused public health actions.
Title: Exposure to natural space, sense of community belonging, and adverse mental health outcomes across an urban region
Citation: Rugel, E. J., R. M. Carpiano, S. B. Henderson and M. Brauer (2019). "Exposure to natural space, sense of community belonging, and adverse mental health outcomes across an urban region." Environmental Research 171: 365-377. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30716514
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30716514/
Topic: Natural space; Population mental health; Population survey; Social cohesion; Urban planning
Abstract: In a rapidly urbanizing world, identifying evidence-based strategies to support healthy design is essential. Although urban living offers increased access to critical resources and can help to mitigate climate change, densely populated neighborhood environments are often higher in many of the physical and psychological stressors that are detrimental to health, and lower in the social capital that is beneficial to health. One component of urban form that can reduce these stressors and improve social capital is nature: greenspace, such as parks and street trees, and bluespace, such as rivers and oceans. In this project, we applied measures from a Natural Space Index previously developed for the Vancouver, Canada census metropolitan area to explore the relationship between distinct measures of natural space and prevalence of (1) major depressive disorder, (2) negative mental health, and (3) psychological distress. In addition, we examined direct associations between natural space exposure and neighborhood social capital, as measured via self-reported sense of community belonging (SoC), as well as the potential mental health benefits of natural space mediated via SoC. Using data from the population-based, cross-sectional 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health (weighted n = 1,930,048), we found no direct associations between any measure of natural space and mental health in models adjusted for 11 demographic, socioeconomic, household arrangement, health, and urban design variables. However, publicly accessible neighborhood nature was associated with increased odds of higher SoC. A 1% increase in the percentage of natural space (combined greenspace and bluespace) within 500 m had an odds ratio [95% confidence interval] of 1.05 [1.00, 1.10] for very strong vs. very weak SoC and 1.04 [1.01, 1.08] for somewhat strong vs. very weak SoC. In addition, higher levels of SoC were associated with improvements in all three mental health outcomes. Mediation tests indicated significant indirect effects of both publicly accessible neighborhood nature variables on reductions in psychological distress and reduced odds of negative mental health via increased sense of SoC. This suggests that natural space has the potential to address the pressing issue of social isolation and, in turn, poor mental health faced by residents of dense urban environments.
Title: Urban street tree biodiversity and antidepressant prescriptions
Citation: Marselle, M. R., D. E. Bowler, J. Watzema, D. Eichenberg, T. Kirsten and A. Bonn (2020). "Urban street tree biodiversity and antidepressant prescriptions." Sci Rep 10(1): 22445.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33384426
Topic: Green space, Urban areas, Nature prescriptions, medicine
Abstract: Growing urbanisation is a threat to both mental health and biodiversity. Street trees are an important biodiversity component of urban greenspace, but little is known about their effects on mental health. Here, we analysed the association of street tree density and species richness with antidepressant prescribing for 9751 inhabitants of Leipzig, Germany. We examined spatial scale effects of street trees at different distances around participant's homes, using Euclidean buffers of 100, 300, 500, and 1000 m. Employing generalised additive models, we found a lower rate of antidepressant prescriptions for people living within 100 m of higher density of street trees-although this relationship was marginally significant (p = 0.057) when confounding factors were considered. Density of street trees at further spatial distances, and species richness of street trees at any distance, were not associated with antidepressant prescriptions. However, for individuals with low socio-economic status, high density of street trees at 100 m around the home significantly reduced the probability of being prescribed antidepressants. The study suggests that unintentional daily contact to nature through street trees close to the home may reduce the risk of depression, especially for individuals in deprived groups. This has important implications for urban planning and nature-based health interventions in cities.
Title: The impact of nature-based education on health-related quality of life among low-income youth: results from an intervention study.
Citation: Sprague, N. L. and C. C. Ekenga (2021). "The impact of nature-based education on health-related quality of life among low-income youth: results from an intervention study." Journal of Public Health.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaa243.
Topic: Nature education, experiential education
Abstract: Nature experiences have been shown to promote physical, emotional, mental and overall health. However, low-income youth often face inequities in access to nature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 15-week nature-based education (NBE) intervention on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of low-income youth. A total of 362 low-income youth (ages 9–15) in St. Louis, MO, USA, participated in this study. Study participants completed a pre- and post-intervention survey that included validated measures of six HRQoL domains (Physical Activity, Emotional Health Functioning, School Functioning, Social Functioning, Family Functioning and overall HRQoL). Random effects analysis of covariance was used to test for significant differences in HRQoL scores between the intervention and control groups, after adjusting for school, age, previous nature exposure, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics capacity. After the intervention period, youth in the NBE intervention group experienced improvements in all HRQoL domain scores (P <; 0.001), whereas youth in the control group experienced declines in HRQoL domain scores (P <; 0.001).NBE may have a positive impact on the HRQoL of low-income youth. Further investigations examining the influence of nature-based activities on youth health outcomes are warranted. (Note: Nadav Sprague is a member of NCH2 and co-founder of Gateway to the Great Outdoors).
Title: A call for urgent action to safeguard our planet and our health in line with the helsinki declaration.
Citation: Halonen, et al. (2021). "A call for urgent action to safeguard our planet and our health in line with the helsinki declaration." Environmental Research 193: 110600.
Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935120314973
Topic: Environmental Policy, Climate Change, Global Action
Abstract: In 2015, the Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission launched a report introducing a novel approach called Planetary Health and proposed a concept, a strategy and a course of action. To discuss the concept of Planetary Health in the context of Europe, a conference entitled: “Europe That Protects: Safeguarding Our Planet, Safeguarding Our Health” was held in Helsinki in December 2019. The conference participants concluded with a need for action to support Planetary Health during the 2020s. The Helsinki Declaration emphasizes the urgency to act as scientific evidence shows that human activities are causing climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, overuse of natural resources and pollution. They threaten the health and safety of human kind. Global, regional, national, local and individual initiatives are called for and multidisciplinary and multisectorial actions and measures are needed. A framework for an action plan is suggested that can be modified for local needs. Accordingly, a shift from fragmented approaches to policy and practice towards systematic actions will promote human health and health of the planet. Systems thinking will feed into conserving nature and biodiversity, and into halting climate change. The Planetary Health paradigm ‒ the health of human civilization and the state of natural systems on which it depends ‒ must become the driver for all policies.
Title: The role of non-governmental organizations in achieving environmental justice for green and blue spaces.
Citation: Rigolon, A. and S. Gibson (2021). "The role of non-governmental organizations in achieving environmental justice for green and blue spaces." Landscape and Urban Planning 205: 103970.
Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204620314535
Topic: Environmental Justice, Non-governmental Organizations, Green and Blue Spaces
Summary: The governance of green and blue spaces (GBS) has gradually shifted from public agencies to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide. Scholars have attributed this shift to the increased adoption of neoliberal governance involving reduced public spending for GBS. Although NGOs’ work on GBS has raised environmental justice (EJ) concerns, some GBS NGOs have formed to advanced EJ goals. To date, limited research has compared GBS NGOs striving to advance different EJ pursuits, namely distributional justice (equal provision of GBS), procedural justice (engagement of marginalized people in GBS decision-making), and interactional justice (meaningful experiences in GBS for marginalized people). Focusing on California, where NGO coalitions have achieved significant EJ victories, we examine which GBS NGO characteristics are associated with their involvement in different EJ pursuits. We identify 121 GBS NGOs working in coalitions and analyze their websites and tax returns to extract information about their EJ focus, scope of work, revenue, and other characteristics. We find that working in urban settings, having higher revenue, and having a smaller geographic scale of work are associated with the odds of coalition-member GBS NGOs working on distributional justice. Few NGO characteristics are associated with the odds of working on procedural and interactional justice, suggesting that a broader range of coalition-member NGOs work on these tasks than on distributional justice. We also find that significantly fewer GBS NGOs outside coalitions focus on EJ than NGOs in coalitions. These findings from California can inform funding agencies, NGO management, and GBS government agencies worldwide.
Title: Identification of Effective Programs to Improve Access to and Use of Trails among Youth from Under-Resourced Communities: A Review.
Citation: Reed, J. A., R. M. Ballard, M. Hill and D. Berrigan (2020). "Identification of Effective Programs to Improve Access to and Use of Trails among Youth from Under-Resourced Communities: A Review." Int J Environ Res Public Health 17(21): 7707.
Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/21/7707
Topic: Nature Benefits, Nature Use, Built versus Natural Environment
Summary: The primary purpose of this paper is to identify and review studies evaluating the effectiveness of programs to increase access to trails and trails use (physical activity) among youth from under-resourced communities. Three additional goals include identifying: (1) Correlates of physical activity/trail use and features of transportation systems and/or built environment and land use destinations, that may inform and support the planning and implementation of programs to promote trail use among youth, (2) benefits associated with trail use, and (3) barriers to trail use.
Title: Results from an 18 country cross-sectional study examining experiences of nature for people with common mental health disorders.
Citation: Tester-Jones, M., M. P. White, L. R. Elliott, N. Weinstein, J. Grellier, T. Economou, G. N. Bratman, A. Cleary, M. Gascon, K. M. Korpela, M. Nieuwenhuijsen, A. O’Connor, A. Ojala, M. van den Bosch and L. E. Fleming (2020). "Results from an 18 country cross-sectional study examining experiences of nature for people with common mental health disorders." Scientific Reports 10(1): 19408.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-75825-9
Topic: Health benefits, Nature Exposure, Mental Health Disorders
Summary: Exposure to natural environments is associated with a lower risk of common mental health disorders (CMDs), such as depression and anxiety, but we know little about nature-related motivations, practices and experiences of those already experiencing CMDs. We used data from an 18-country survey to explore these issues (n = 18,838), taking self-reported doctor-prescribed medication for depression and/or anxiety as an indicator of a CMD (n = 2698, 14%). Intrinsic motivation for visiting nature was high for all, though slightly lower for those with CMDs. Most individuals with a CMD reported visiting nature ≥ once a week. Although perceived social pressure to visit nature was associated with higher visit likelihood, it was also associated with lower intrinsic motivation, lower visit happiness and higher visit anxiety. Individuals with CMDs seem to be using nature for self-management, but ‘green prescription’ programmes need to be sensitive, and avoid undermining intrinsic motivation and nature-based experiences.
Title: Increasing decision relevance of ecosystem service science
Citation: Mandle, L., Shields-Estrada, A., Chaplin-Kramer, R. et al. Increasing decision relevance of ecosystem service science. Nat Sustain (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-00625-y
Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-00625-y
Topic: Community Engagement, Communication, Environmental Justice, Public Engagement
Summary: The ecosystem service (ES) community aspires to illuminate how nature contributes to human well-being, and thereby elevate consideration of nature in decision making. So far, however, policy impact of ES research has been limited. To understand why, we identify five key elements of ES research that help inform decisions by connecting the supply of ES to those who benefit from them. Our structured review of the ES literature reveals that only 13% of assessments included the full ES chain from place to value. Only 7% of assessments considered the distribution of ES benefits explicitly across demographic or other beneficiary groups (for example, private landowners versus the broader public), although disaggregation across regions or spatial units was more common (44%). Finally, crucial mediating factors that affect who benefits and how (for example, the vulnerability of beneficiaries or the availability of substitutes for ES) were considered in only 35% of assessments. Our results suggest that increasing the decision relevance of ES research requires more effectively predicting the impacts of specific decisions on the value and distribution of ES across beneficiary groups. Such efforts will need to integrate ecological models with socioeconomic and cultural dimensions of ES more closely than does the current ES literature.
Title: Urban Trees and Human Health: A Scoping Review
Citation: Wolf, K. L., S. T. Lam, J. K. McKeen, G. R. A. Richardson, M. van den Bosch and A. C. Bardekjian (2020). "Urban Trees and Human Health: A Scoping Review." Int J Environ Res Public Health 17(12). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32570770
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32570770
Topic: Urban forests, urban planning, built environments, environmental health, public health, green infrastructure, ecosystem services
Summary: The urban forest is a green infrastructure system that delivers multiple environmental, economic, social and health services, and functions in cities. Environmental benefits of urban trees are well understood, but no review to date has examined how urban trees affect human health. This review provides a comprehensive summary of existing literature on the health impacts of urban trees that can inform future research, policy, and nature-based public health interventions. A systematic search used keywords representing human health, environmental health, and urban forestry. Following screening and appraisal of several thousand articles, 201 studies were conceptually sorted into a three-part framework. Reducing Harm, representing 41% of studies, includes topics such as air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, heat exposure, and pollen. Restoring Capacities, at 31%, includes attention restoration, mental health, stress reduction, and clinical outcomes. Building Capacities, at 28%, includes topics such as birth outcomes, active living, and weight status. The studies that were reviewed show substantial heterogeneity in purpose and method yet indicate important health outcomes associated with people's exposure to trees. This review will help inform future research and practice, and demonstrates why urban forest planning and management should strategically promote trees as a social determinant of public health.
Title: Did Playground Renovations Equitably Benefit Neighborhoods in Chicago?
Citation: Zenk, S. N., O. Pugach, M. Ragonese-Barnes, A. Odoms-Young, L. M. Powell and S. J. Slater (2020). "Did Playground Renovations Equitably Benefit Neighborhoods in Chicago?" Journal of Urban Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-020-00472-4.
Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11524-020-00472-4
Topic: Urban Planning, Environmental Injustice, Built Environments
Summary: This peer-reviewed article by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago examined the impact of park renovations carried out by the Chicago Park Department from 2013-2016. Contrary to expectations, in lower-income neighborhoods, renovations led to a reduction in park use and a reduction in moderate to vigorous physical activity among neighborhood residents. The study suggests the renovations may have had unintended consequences. The authors suggest that neighborhood residents be more fully engaged when planning for future renovations and that additional park programming be incorporated after renovations occur to engage residents.
Title: Publication bias: the Achilles' heel of systematic reviews?
Citation: Torgerson, C. J. (2006). "PUBLICATION BIAS: THE ACHILLES’ HEEL OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS?" British Journal of Educational Studies 54(1): 89-102. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8527.2006.00332.x
Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8527.2006.00332.x
Topic: Publication Bias, systematic reviews
Summary: The term ‘publication bias’ usually refers to the tendency for a greater proportion of statistically significant positive results of experiments to be published and, conversely, a greater proportion of statistically significant negative or null results not to be published. It is widely accepted in the fields of healthcare and psychological research to be a major threat to the validity of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Some methodological work has previously been undertaken, by the author and others, in the field of educational research to investigate the extent of the problem. This paper describes the problem of publication bias with reference to its history in a number of fields, with special reference to the area of educational research. Informal methods for detecting publication bias in systematic reviews and meta-analyses of controlled trials are outlined and retrospective and prospective methods for dealing with the problem are suggested.
Title: Environmental education and K-12 student outcomes: A review and analysis of research
Citation: Ardoin, N. M., A. W. Bowers, N. W. Roth and N. Holthuis (2018). "Environmental education and K-12 student outcomes: A review and analysis of research." The Journal of Environmental Education 49(1): 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2017.1366155
Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2017.1366155
Topic: Systematic reviews, environmental education, child environmental interaction
Summary: Many practitioners and researchers describe academic and environmental benefits of environmental education for kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) students. To consider the empirical underpinnings of those program descriptions, we systematically analyzed the peer-reviewed literature (1994–2013), focusing on outcomes of environmental education programs with K-12 students. In the resulting sample of 119 articles, we identified 121 unique outcomes, finding that most articles reported positive findings from the programs under study. Reflections stemming from the review highlight the versatility of environmental education, while also suggesting opportunities for bolder and more diversified approaches in research design and thinking.
Title: “What future/s for outdoor and environmental education in a world that has contended with COVID-19?”
Citation: Quay, J., Gray, T., Thomas, G. et al. What future/s for outdoor and environmental education in a world that has contended with COVID-19?. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education 23, 93–117 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-020-00059-2
Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42322-020-00059-2#citeas
Topic: Health benefits of nature, Urban planning, COVID-19, Mental Health, Nature Prescriptions
Summary: This is an unusual article in that it brings together the perspectives of many on this journal’s editorial board, around the issue of contending with COVID-19. Twenty statements showcase a range of thoughts and experiences, highlighting the differences and similarities in the way the pandemic is impacting on the educational practice of outdoor and environmental education. The future is not yet written, of course, so it is worth thinking about how the current moment may impact on the months and years to come. The aim of this article is to influence and support such thinking.
Title: "Nature as a Community Health Tool: The Case for Healthcare Providers and Systems."
Citation: South, E. C., M. C. Kondo and N. Razani (2020). "Nature as a Community Health Tool: The Case for Healthcare Providers and Systems." Am J Prev Med.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32654863/ OR https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342808300_Nature_as_a_Community_Health_Tool_The_Case_for_Healthcare_Providers_and_Systems (download the pdf to view)
Topic: Nature Prescriptions, Healthcare, Social Determinants of Health, Care access and quality, neighborhood green space
Summary: Written by two physicians and a social scientist, this easily read paper summarizes the evidence for why health care professionals should be counseling their patents to spend time in nature.
Title: "Walk with a Doc-a Call to Action for Physician-Led Walking Programs."
Citation: Sabgir, D. and J. Dorn (2020). "Walk with a Doc-a Call to Action for Physician-Led Walking Programs." Current cardiology reports 22(7): 44-44.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32561999
Topic: Park Rx, Nature Therapy, Green Space, Health Benefits, Horticultural Therapy, Exercise.
Summary: Written by the founder of “Walk with a Doc” (David Sabgir, MD) and a professor of Community Health and Social Medicine (Joan Dorn, PhD), this article reviews the evidence and need for physicians to prescribe physical activity, particularly time outdoors, to their patients. And for physicians to use this “medicine” themselves to help address the epidemic of burnout in the healthcare professions. The article describes the role that Walk with a Doc plays in organizing physician-led walks in communities.
Title: "Identifying principles for the design of robust impact evaluation frameworks for nature-based solutions in cities."
Citation: Dumitru, A., N. Frantzeskaki and M. Collier (2020). "Identifying principles for the design of robust impact evaluation frameworks for nature-based solutions in cities." Environmental Science & Policy 112: 107-116.
Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901119303314
Topic: Urban Planning, Built Environment, Green Spaces in Urban areas, Climate Change, Nature, Human Health and Well-being
Summary: Cities all over the world are confronting intertwined environmental, social and economic problems and aim to become resilient to climate change and promote wellbeing for all their citizens. Nature-based solutions have been proposed as a promising policy approach to addressing urban problems for the potential they have to deliver multiple benefits and foster wellbeing for individuals and communities. However, the evidence for their multiple benefits is rather scarce and highly fragmented, and more robust frameworks for the monitoring and assessment of their impacts are needed to guide urban policy-making. This paper focuses on the current state of impact assessment of nature-based solutions in Europe and through a systematic review of the literature identifies four conceptual problems and three empirical gaps that impede the accumulation of solid evidence regarding of the impacts of different types of nature-based solutions for different social groups; as well as of the contextual conditions that contribute to their performance and delivery of multiple outcomes.
Title: "Physical and mental health effects of repeated short walks in a blue space environment: A randomised crossover study."
Citation: Vert, C., M. Gascon, O. Ranzani, S. Márquez, M. Triguero-Mas, G. Carrasco-Turigas, L. Arjona, S. Koch, M. Llopis, D. Donaire-Gonzalez, L. R. Elliott and M. Nieuwenhuijsen (2020). "Physical and mental health effects of repeated short walks in a blue space environment: A randomised crossover study." Environmental Research 188: 109812.
Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935120307076
Topic: Blue Spaces, Human Health, Exercise, Environment, Nature
Summary: This paper examines a study of whether blue spaces benefit mental health and promote physical activity. The objective of this randomized crossover study was to assess psychological and cardiovascular responses to blue spaces’ exposure.
Title: Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being During the COVID-19 Lockdown: Relationships With Motivational Quality and Nature Contexts.
Citation: Jenkins, M., S. Houge Mackenzie, K. Hodge, E. A. Hargreaves, J. R. Calverley and C. Lee (2021). "Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being During the COVID-19 Lockdown: Relationships With Motivational Quality and Nature Contexts." Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 3(43). https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fspor.2021.637576.
Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fspor.2021.637576
Topic: COVID-19, Wellbeing, Physical Activity, New Zealand
Abstract/Overview: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global event that has already had substantive negative impacts on psychological well-being. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity (PA) and psychological well-being during a country-wide COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand. Motivational quality and PA context (nature-based or non-nature-based) were included as potential mediating and moderating variables within this relationship, respectively. Participants completed an online survey assessing psychological well-being, weekly PA levels, and PA during the second and third weeks of the 7 week COVID-19 lockdown period in New Zealand. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. Results showed that PA significantly predicted psychological well-being, with no significant difference evident in psychological well-being dependent on whether PA was nature or non-nature-based. Nature-based PA was a stronger predictor of intrinsic motivation compared to non-nature-based PA, and intrinsic motivation was positively associated with psychological well-being. In contrast, non-nature-based PA was a stronger predictor of introjected regulation compared to nature-based PA, which was negatively associated with psychological well-being. Overall, these findings suggest that (1) weekly PA was associated with increased psychological well-being during the lockdown, and (2) nature-based PA may foster psychological well-being via effects on motivation. The implications for continued participation in PA will be discussed.
Title: How social capital helps communities weather the COVID-19 pandemic
Citation: Makridis, C. A. and C. Wu (2021). "How social capital helps communities weather the COVID-19 pandemic." PLoS One 16(1): e0245135. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33513146
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33513146
Topic: Social capital, COVID-19, Community
Abstract: Why have the effects of COVID-19 been so unevenly geographically distributed in the United States? This paper investigates the role of social capital as a mediating factor for the spread of the virus. Because social capital is associated with greater trust and relationships within a community, it could endow individuals with a greater concern for others, thereby leading to more hygienic practices and social distancing. Using data for over 2,700 US counties, we investigate how social capital explains the level and growth rate of infections. We find that moving a county from the 25th to the 75th percentile of the distribution of social capital would lead to a 18% and 5.7% decline in the cumulative number of infections and deaths, as well as suggestive evidence of a lower spread of the virus. Our results are robust to many demographic characteristics, controls, and alternative measures of social capital.
Title: Pathways linking biodiversity to human health: A conceptual framework
Citation: Marselle, M. R., T. Hartig, D. T. C. Cox, S. de Bell, S. Knapp, S. Lindley, M. Triguero-Mas, K. Böhning-Gaese, M. Braubach, P. A. Cook, S. de Vries, A. Heintz-Buschart, M. Hofmann, K. N. Irvine, N. Kabisch, F. Kolek, R. Kraemer, I. Markevych, D. Martens, R. Müller, M. Nieuwenhuijsen, J. M. Potts, J. Stadler, S. Walton, S. L. Warber and A. Bonn (2021). "Pathways linking biodiversity to human health: A conceptual framework." Environment International 150: 106420. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412021000441
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412021000441
Topic: Biodiversity, human health
Abstract: Biodiversity is a cornerstone of human health and well-being. However, while evidence of the contributions of nature to human health is rapidly building, research into how biodiversity relates to human health remains limited in important respects. In particular, a better mechanistic understanding of the range of pathways through which biodiversity can influence human health is needed. These pathways relate to both psychological and social processes as well as biophysical processes. Building on evidence from across the natural, social and health sciences, we present a conceptual framework organizing the pathways linking biodiversity to human health. Four domains of pathways—both beneficial as well as harmful—link biodiversity with human health: (i) reducing harm (e.g. provision of medicines, decreasing exposure to air and noise pollution); (ii) restoring capacities (e.g. attention restoration, stress reduction); (iii) building capacities (e.g. promoting physical activity, transcendent experiences); and (iv) causing harm (e.g. dangerous wildlife, zoonotic diseases, allergens). We discuss how to test components of the biodiversity-health framework with available analytical approaches and existing datasets. In a world with accelerating declines in biodiversity, profound land-use change, and an increase in non-communicable and zoonotic diseases globally, greater understanding of these pathways can reinforce biodiversity conservation as a strategy for the promotion of health for both people and nature. We conclude by identifying research avenues and recommendations for policy and practice to foster biodiversity-focused public health actions.
Title: Exposure to natural space, sense of community belonging, and adverse mental health outcomes across an urban region
Citation: Rugel, E. J., R. M. Carpiano, S. B. Henderson and M. Brauer (2019). "Exposure to natural space, sense of community belonging, and adverse mental health outcomes across an urban region." Environmental Research 171: 365-377. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30716514
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30716514/
Topic: Natural space; Population mental health; Population survey; Social cohesion; Urban planning
Abstract: In a rapidly urbanizing world, identifying evidence-based strategies to support healthy design is essential. Although urban living offers increased access to critical resources and can help to mitigate climate change, densely populated neighborhood environments are often higher in many of the physical and psychological stressors that are detrimental to health, and lower in the social capital that is beneficial to health. One component of urban form that can reduce these stressors and improve social capital is nature: greenspace, such as parks and street trees, and bluespace, such as rivers and oceans. In this project, we applied measures from a Natural Space Index previously developed for the Vancouver, Canada census metropolitan area to explore the relationship between distinct measures of natural space and prevalence of (1) major depressive disorder, (2) negative mental health, and (3) psychological distress. In addition, we examined direct associations between natural space exposure and neighborhood social capital, as measured via self-reported sense of community belonging (SoC), as well as the potential mental health benefits of natural space mediated via SoC. Using data from the population-based, cross-sectional 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health (weighted n = 1,930,048), we found no direct associations between any measure of natural space and mental health in models adjusted for 11 demographic, socioeconomic, household arrangement, health, and urban design variables. However, publicly accessible neighborhood nature was associated with increased odds of higher SoC. A 1% increase in the percentage of natural space (combined greenspace and bluespace) within 500 m had an odds ratio [95% confidence interval] of 1.05 [1.00, 1.10] for very strong vs. very weak SoC and 1.04 [1.01, 1.08] for somewhat strong vs. very weak SoC. In addition, higher levels of SoC were associated with improvements in all three mental health outcomes. Mediation tests indicated significant indirect effects of both publicly accessible neighborhood nature variables on reductions in psychological distress and reduced odds of negative mental health via increased sense of SoC. This suggests that natural space has the potential to address the pressing issue of social isolation and, in turn, poor mental health faced by residents of dense urban environments.
Title: Urban street tree biodiversity and antidepressant prescriptions
Citation: Marselle, M. R., D. E. Bowler, J. Watzema, D. Eichenberg, T. Kirsten and A. Bonn (2020). "Urban street tree biodiversity and antidepressant prescriptions." Sci Rep 10(1): 22445.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33384426
Topic: Green space, Urban areas, Nature prescriptions, medicine
Abstract: Growing urbanisation is a threat to both mental health and biodiversity. Street trees are an important biodiversity component of urban greenspace, but little is known about their effects on mental health. Here, we analysed the association of street tree density and species richness with antidepressant prescribing for 9751 inhabitants of Leipzig, Germany. We examined spatial scale effects of street trees at different distances around participant's homes, using Euclidean buffers of 100, 300, 500, and 1000 m. Employing generalised additive models, we found a lower rate of antidepressant prescriptions for people living within 100 m of higher density of street trees-although this relationship was marginally significant (p = 0.057) when confounding factors were considered. Density of street trees at further spatial distances, and species richness of street trees at any distance, were not associated with antidepressant prescriptions. However, for individuals with low socio-economic status, high density of street trees at 100 m around the home significantly reduced the probability of being prescribed antidepressants. The study suggests that unintentional daily contact to nature through street trees close to the home may reduce the risk of depression, especially for individuals in deprived groups. This has important implications for urban planning and nature-based health interventions in cities.
Title: The impact of nature-based education on health-related quality of life among low-income youth: results from an intervention study.
Citation: Sprague, N. L. and C. C. Ekenga (2021). "The impact of nature-based education on health-related quality of life among low-income youth: results from an intervention study." Journal of Public Health.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaa243.
Topic: Nature education, experiential education
Abstract: Nature experiences have been shown to promote physical, emotional, mental and overall health. However, low-income youth often face inequities in access to nature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 15-week nature-based education (NBE) intervention on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of low-income youth. A total of 362 low-income youth (ages 9–15) in St. Louis, MO, USA, participated in this study. Study participants completed a pre- and post-intervention survey that included validated measures of six HRQoL domains (Physical Activity, Emotional Health Functioning, School Functioning, Social Functioning, Family Functioning and overall HRQoL). Random effects analysis of covariance was used to test for significant differences in HRQoL scores between the intervention and control groups, after adjusting for school, age, previous nature exposure, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics capacity. After the intervention period, youth in the NBE intervention group experienced improvements in all HRQoL domain scores (P <; 0.001), whereas youth in the control group experienced declines in HRQoL domain scores (P <; 0.001).NBE may have a positive impact on the HRQoL of low-income youth. Further investigations examining the influence of nature-based activities on youth health outcomes are warranted. (Note: Nadav Sprague is a member of NCH2 and co-founder of Gateway to the Great Outdoors).
Title: A call for urgent action to safeguard our planet and our health in line with the helsinki declaration.
Citation: Halonen, et al. (2021). "A call for urgent action to safeguard our planet and our health in line with the helsinki declaration." Environmental Research 193: 110600.
Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935120314973
Topic: Environmental Policy, Climate Change, Global Action
Abstract: In 2015, the Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission launched a report introducing a novel approach called Planetary Health and proposed a concept, a strategy and a course of action. To discuss the concept of Planetary Health in the context of Europe, a conference entitled: “Europe That Protects: Safeguarding Our Planet, Safeguarding Our Health” was held in Helsinki in December 2019. The conference participants concluded with a need for action to support Planetary Health during the 2020s. The Helsinki Declaration emphasizes the urgency to act as scientific evidence shows that human activities are causing climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, overuse of natural resources and pollution. They threaten the health and safety of human kind. Global, regional, national, local and individual initiatives are called for and multidisciplinary and multisectorial actions and measures are needed. A framework for an action plan is suggested that can be modified for local needs. Accordingly, a shift from fragmented approaches to policy and practice towards systematic actions will promote human health and health of the planet. Systems thinking will feed into conserving nature and biodiversity, and into halting climate change. The Planetary Health paradigm ‒ the health of human civilization and the state of natural systems on which it depends ‒ must become the driver for all policies.
Title: The role of non-governmental organizations in achieving environmental justice for green and blue spaces.
Citation: Rigolon, A. and S. Gibson (2021). "The role of non-governmental organizations in achieving environmental justice for green and blue spaces." Landscape and Urban Planning 205: 103970.
Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204620314535
Topic: Environmental Justice, Non-governmental Organizations, Green and Blue Spaces
Summary: The governance of green and blue spaces (GBS) has gradually shifted from public agencies to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide. Scholars have attributed this shift to the increased adoption of neoliberal governance involving reduced public spending for GBS. Although NGOs’ work on GBS has raised environmental justice (EJ) concerns, some GBS NGOs have formed to advanced EJ goals. To date, limited research has compared GBS NGOs striving to advance different EJ pursuits, namely distributional justice (equal provision of GBS), procedural justice (engagement of marginalized people in GBS decision-making), and interactional justice (meaningful experiences in GBS for marginalized people). Focusing on California, where NGO coalitions have achieved significant EJ victories, we examine which GBS NGO characteristics are associated with their involvement in different EJ pursuits. We identify 121 GBS NGOs working in coalitions and analyze their websites and tax returns to extract information about their EJ focus, scope of work, revenue, and other characteristics. We find that working in urban settings, having higher revenue, and having a smaller geographic scale of work are associated with the odds of coalition-member GBS NGOs working on distributional justice. Few NGO characteristics are associated with the odds of working on procedural and interactional justice, suggesting that a broader range of coalition-member NGOs work on these tasks than on distributional justice. We also find that significantly fewer GBS NGOs outside coalitions focus on EJ than NGOs in coalitions. These findings from California can inform funding agencies, NGO management, and GBS government agencies worldwide.
Title: Identification of Effective Programs to Improve Access to and Use of Trails among Youth from Under-Resourced Communities: A Review.
Citation: Reed, J. A., R. M. Ballard, M. Hill and D. Berrigan (2020). "Identification of Effective Programs to Improve Access to and Use of Trails among Youth from Under-Resourced Communities: A Review." Int J Environ Res Public Health 17(21): 7707.
Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/21/7707
Topic: Nature Benefits, Nature Use, Built versus Natural Environment
Summary: The primary purpose of this paper is to identify and review studies evaluating the effectiveness of programs to increase access to trails and trails use (physical activity) among youth from under-resourced communities. Three additional goals include identifying: (1) Correlates of physical activity/trail use and features of transportation systems and/or built environment and land use destinations, that may inform and support the planning and implementation of programs to promote trail use among youth, (2) benefits associated with trail use, and (3) barriers to trail use.
Title: Results from an 18 country cross-sectional study examining experiences of nature for people with common mental health disorders.
Citation: Tester-Jones, M., M. P. White, L. R. Elliott, N. Weinstein, J. Grellier, T. Economou, G. N. Bratman, A. Cleary, M. Gascon, K. M. Korpela, M. Nieuwenhuijsen, A. O’Connor, A. Ojala, M. van den Bosch and L. E. Fleming (2020). "Results from an 18 country cross-sectional study examining experiences of nature for people with common mental health disorders." Scientific Reports 10(1): 19408.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-75825-9
Topic: Health benefits, Nature Exposure, Mental Health Disorders
Summary: Exposure to natural environments is associated with a lower risk of common mental health disorders (CMDs), such as depression and anxiety, but we know little about nature-related motivations, practices and experiences of those already experiencing CMDs. We used data from an 18-country survey to explore these issues (n = 18,838), taking self-reported doctor-prescribed medication for depression and/or anxiety as an indicator of a CMD (n = 2698, 14%). Intrinsic motivation for visiting nature was high for all, though slightly lower for those with CMDs. Most individuals with a CMD reported visiting nature ≥ once a week. Although perceived social pressure to visit nature was associated with higher visit likelihood, it was also associated with lower intrinsic motivation, lower visit happiness and higher visit anxiety. Individuals with CMDs seem to be using nature for self-management, but ‘green prescription’ programmes need to be sensitive, and avoid undermining intrinsic motivation and nature-based experiences.
Title: Increasing decision relevance of ecosystem service science
Citation: Mandle, L., Shields-Estrada, A., Chaplin-Kramer, R. et al. Increasing decision relevance of ecosystem service science. Nat Sustain (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-00625-y
Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-00625-y
Topic: Community Engagement, Communication, Environmental Justice, Public Engagement
Summary: The ecosystem service (ES) community aspires to illuminate how nature contributes to human well-being, and thereby elevate consideration of nature in decision making. So far, however, policy impact of ES research has been limited. To understand why, we identify five key elements of ES research that help inform decisions by connecting the supply of ES to those who benefit from them. Our structured review of the ES literature reveals that only 13% of assessments included the full ES chain from place to value. Only 7% of assessments considered the distribution of ES benefits explicitly across demographic or other beneficiary groups (for example, private landowners versus the broader public), although disaggregation across regions or spatial units was more common (44%). Finally, crucial mediating factors that affect who benefits and how (for example, the vulnerability of beneficiaries or the availability of substitutes for ES) were considered in only 35% of assessments. Our results suggest that increasing the decision relevance of ES research requires more effectively predicting the impacts of specific decisions on the value and distribution of ES across beneficiary groups. Such efforts will need to integrate ecological models with socioeconomic and cultural dimensions of ES more closely than does the current ES literature.
Title: Urban Trees and Human Health: A Scoping Review
Citation: Wolf, K. L., S. T. Lam, J. K. McKeen, G. R. A. Richardson, M. van den Bosch and A. C. Bardekjian (2020). "Urban Trees and Human Health: A Scoping Review." Int J Environ Res Public Health 17(12). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32570770
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32570770
Topic: Urban forests, urban planning, built environments, environmental health, public health, green infrastructure, ecosystem services
Summary: The urban forest is a green infrastructure system that delivers multiple environmental, economic, social and health services, and functions in cities. Environmental benefits of urban trees are well understood, but no review to date has examined how urban trees affect human health. This review provides a comprehensive summary of existing literature on the health impacts of urban trees that can inform future research, policy, and nature-based public health interventions. A systematic search used keywords representing human health, environmental health, and urban forestry. Following screening and appraisal of several thousand articles, 201 studies were conceptually sorted into a three-part framework. Reducing Harm, representing 41% of studies, includes topics such as air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, heat exposure, and pollen. Restoring Capacities, at 31%, includes attention restoration, mental health, stress reduction, and clinical outcomes. Building Capacities, at 28%, includes topics such as birth outcomes, active living, and weight status. The studies that were reviewed show substantial heterogeneity in purpose and method yet indicate important health outcomes associated with people's exposure to trees. This review will help inform future research and practice, and demonstrates why urban forest planning and management should strategically promote trees as a social determinant of public health.
Title: Did Playground Renovations Equitably Benefit Neighborhoods in Chicago?
Citation: Zenk, S. N., O. Pugach, M. Ragonese-Barnes, A. Odoms-Young, L. M. Powell and S. J. Slater (2020). "Did Playground Renovations Equitably Benefit Neighborhoods in Chicago?" Journal of Urban Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-020-00472-4.
Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11524-020-00472-4
Topic: Urban Planning, Environmental Injustice, Built Environments
Summary: This peer-reviewed article by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago examined the impact of park renovations carried out by the Chicago Park Department from 2013-2016. Contrary to expectations, in lower-income neighborhoods, renovations led to a reduction in park use and a reduction in moderate to vigorous physical activity among neighborhood residents. The study suggests the renovations may have had unintended consequences. The authors suggest that neighborhood residents be more fully engaged when planning for future renovations and that additional park programming be incorporated after renovations occur to engage residents.
Title: Publication bias: the Achilles' heel of systematic reviews?
Citation: Torgerson, C. J. (2006). "PUBLICATION BIAS: THE ACHILLES’ HEEL OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS?" British Journal of Educational Studies 54(1): 89-102. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8527.2006.00332.x
Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8527.2006.00332.x
Topic: Publication Bias, systematic reviews
Summary: The term ‘publication bias’ usually refers to the tendency for a greater proportion of statistically significant positive results of experiments to be published and, conversely, a greater proportion of statistically significant negative or null results not to be published. It is widely accepted in the fields of healthcare and psychological research to be a major threat to the validity of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Some methodological work has previously been undertaken, by the author and others, in the field of educational research to investigate the extent of the problem. This paper describes the problem of publication bias with reference to its history in a number of fields, with special reference to the area of educational research. Informal methods for detecting publication bias in systematic reviews and meta-analyses of controlled trials are outlined and retrospective and prospective methods for dealing with the problem are suggested.
Title: Environmental education and K-12 student outcomes: A review and analysis of research
Citation: Ardoin, N. M., A. W. Bowers, N. W. Roth and N. Holthuis (2018). "Environmental education and K-12 student outcomes: A review and analysis of research." The Journal of Environmental Education 49(1): 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2017.1366155
Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2017.1366155
Topic: Systematic reviews, environmental education, child environmental interaction
Summary: Many practitioners and researchers describe academic and environmental benefits of environmental education for kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) students. To consider the empirical underpinnings of those program descriptions, we systematically analyzed the peer-reviewed literature (1994–2013), focusing on outcomes of environmental education programs with K-12 students. In the resulting sample of 119 articles, we identified 121 unique outcomes, finding that most articles reported positive findings from the programs under study. Reflections stemming from the review highlight the versatility of environmental education, while also suggesting opportunities for bolder and more diversified approaches in research design and thinking.
Title: “What future/s for outdoor and environmental education in a world that has contended with COVID-19?”
Citation: Quay, J., Gray, T., Thomas, G. et al. What future/s for outdoor and environmental education in a world that has contended with COVID-19?. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education 23, 93–117 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-020-00059-2
Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42322-020-00059-2#citeas
Topic: Health benefits of nature, Urban planning, COVID-19, Mental Health, Nature Prescriptions
Summary: This is an unusual article in that it brings together the perspectives of many on this journal’s editorial board, around the issue of contending with COVID-19. Twenty statements showcase a range of thoughts and experiences, highlighting the differences and similarities in the way the pandemic is impacting on the educational practice of outdoor and environmental education. The future is not yet written, of course, so it is worth thinking about how the current moment may impact on the months and years to come. The aim of this article is to influence and support such thinking.
Title: "Nature as a Community Health Tool: The Case for Healthcare Providers and Systems."
Citation: South, E. C., M. C. Kondo and N. Razani (2020). "Nature as a Community Health Tool: The Case for Healthcare Providers and Systems." Am J Prev Med.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32654863/ OR https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342808300_Nature_as_a_Community_Health_Tool_The_Case_for_Healthcare_Providers_and_Systems (download the pdf to view)
Topic: Nature Prescriptions, Healthcare, Social Determinants of Health, Care access and quality, neighborhood green space
Summary: Written by two physicians and a social scientist, this easily read paper summarizes the evidence for why health care professionals should be counseling their patents to spend time in nature.
Title: "Walk with a Doc-a Call to Action for Physician-Led Walking Programs."
Citation: Sabgir, D. and J. Dorn (2020). "Walk with a Doc-a Call to Action for Physician-Led Walking Programs." Current cardiology reports 22(7): 44-44.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32561999
Topic: Park Rx, Nature Therapy, Green Space, Health Benefits, Horticultural Therapy, Exercise.
Summary: Written by the founder of “Walk with a Doc” (David Sabgir, MD) and a professor of Community Health and Social Medicine (Joan Dorn, PhD), this article reviews the evidence and need for physicians to prescribe physical activity, particularly time outdoors, to their patients. And for physicians to use this “medicine” themselves to help address the epidemic of burnout in the healthcare professions. The article describes the role that Walk with a Doc plays in organizing physician-led walks in communities.
Title: "Identifying principles for the design of robust impact evaluation frameworks for nature-based solutions in cities."
Citation: Dumitru, A., N. Frantzeskaki and M. Collier (2020). "Identifying principles for the design of robust impact evaluation frameworks for nature-based solutions in cities." Environmental Science & Policy 112: 107-116.
Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901119303314
Topic: Urban Planning, Built Environment, Green Spaces in Urban areas, Climate Change, Nature, Human Health and Well-being
Summary: Cities all over the world are confronting intertwined environmental, social and economic problems and aim to become resilient to climate change and promote wellbeing for all their citizens. Nature-based solutions have been proposed as a promising policy approach to addressing urban problems for the potential they have to deliver multiple benefits and foster wellbeing for individuals and communities. However, the evidence for their multiple benefits is rather scarce and highly fragmented, and more robust frameworks for the monitoring and assessment of their impacts are needed to guide urban policy-making. This paper focuses on the current state of impact assessment of nature-based solutions in Europe and through a systematic review of the literature identifies four conceptual problems and three empirical gaps that impede the accumulation of solid evidence regarding of the impacts of different types of nature-based solutions for different social groups; as well as of the contextual conditions that contribute to their performance and delivery of multiple outcomes.
Title: "Physical and mental health effects of repeated short walks in a blue space environment: A randomised crossover study."
Citation: Vert, C., M. Gascon, O. Ranzani, S. Márquez, M. Triguero-Mas, G. Carrasco-Turigas, L. Arjona, S. Koch, M. Llopis, D. Donaire-Gonzalez, L. R. Elliott and M. Nieuwenhuijsen (2020). "Physical and mental health effects of repeated short walks in a blue space environment: A randomised crossover study." Environmental Research 188: 109812.
Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935120307076
Topic: Blue Spaces, Human Health, Exercise, Environment, Nature
Summary: This paper examines a study of whether blue spaces benefit mental health and promote physical activity. The objective of this randomized crossover study was to assess psychological and cardiovascular responses to blue spaces’ exposure.