Examining Psychosocial and Economic Barriers to Green Space Access for Racialised Individuals and Families: A Narrative Literature Review of the Evidence to Date

Abstract

Background: Social prescribing (such as green social prescribing), aims to address health disparities cross-culturally to improve well-being. However, evidence highlights racial disparities in relation to access to quality green space (including local/national parks and recreational spaces). This review aimed to identify the psycho-socioeconomic barriers to green space access for racialised individuals/families and Black Indigenous People of Colour (BIPOC), to understand what cultural adaptations might be made to help support them to access green social prescribing within the UK. Method: A narrative systematic review was conducted to identify barriers to green space access for racialised individuals/families and BIPOC. Searches of publication databases (APA PsycInfo, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [CDSR], Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials [CENTRAL], Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL], and SCOPUS Preview) were undertaken from January to February 2022, to identify quantitative peer reviewed studies.. Of the 4493 abstracts identified, ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were included for final review. Results: The results suggest that interpersonal, practical (such as transportation costs, entrance fees and lodging costs) and environmental factors can act as barriers to green space access for racialised individuals/families. Most frequently reported barriers were perceptions of safety and costs associated with travel and accessing green spaces, particularly for families. Conclusion: Factors such as diversity-friendly schemes (e.g. multiple languages on signs and additional prayer spaces in parks), funding and strategies to improve safety should be considered in the design and commissioning of green space and green social prescribing initiatives in primary care. By mitigating these barriers green space can become more accessible and improve inclusivity for racialised individuals/families. Future research could explore the inter-racial differences between racialised populations and which mechanisms reduce barriers to access and in what contexts.

Nature prescribing

“…Uptake data suggest more women and white, affluent, and older people receive a social prescription 15. Factors affecting accessibility include infrastructural barriers (eg, transport) and cultural perceptions about nature 16. However, appropriately targeted and funded activity, with barriers addressed, can reach excluded communities such as refugees or people with substance use disorders 1718…”

Exploring the benefits of nature-based interventions in socio-economically deprived communities: a narrative review of the evidence to date

“…This review identified that an individuals’ perception of the safety of an environment may impact the benefits observed; 45 a barrier that has widely been reported within the field of green space literature. 96 – 99 Perceived environmental safety and fear of crime is a particular concern for those of older age, 100 and for racialised individuals. 99 While recorded crime rates are substantially greater in the most socio-economically deprived areas, 101 research has shown that access to nature and NBIs can have a mitigating impact on violence.…”

“… 96 – 99 Perceived environmental safety and fear of crime is a particular concern for those of older age, 100 and for racialised individuals. 99 While recorded crime rates are substantially greater in the most socio-economically deprived areas, 101 research has shown that access to nature and NBIs can have a mitigating impact on violence. 102 As such urban planning initiatives should consider the two-way interaction between perceived environmental safety and NBI engagement for socio-economically deprived communities.…”

Residential green space improves cognitive performances in primary schoolchildren independent of traffic-related air pollution exposure

“…First, we additionally adjusted the main model for ethnicity (both parents born in Belgium, one or both parents born abroad) and for time of examination (one at a time). The rationale to adjust for ethnicity is the possibility of ethnic inequalities in green space availability [ 37 ] or use [ 38 ]. Second, to test the association between agricultural area around the residence and the cognitive outcomes, we replaced green space with agricultural area in the main model.…”