Natural Environments—Healthy Environments? An Exploratory Analysis of the Relationship between Greenspace and Health

Abstract

Abstract. Are people living in greener areas healthier than people living in less green areas? This hypothesis was empirically tested by combining Dutch data on the self-reported health of over 10 000 people with land-use data on the amount of greenspace in their living environment. In the multilevel analysis we controlled for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, as well as urbanity. Living in a green environment was positively related to all three available health indicators, even stronger than urbanity at the municipal level. Analyses on subgroups showed that the relationship between greenspace and one of the health indicators was somewhat stronger for housewives and the elderly, two groups that are assumed to be more dependent on, and therefore exposed to, the local environment. Furthermore, for all three health indicators the relationship with greenspace was somewhat stronger for lower educated people. Implications for policymaking and spatial planning are discussed briefly.

Seeking everyday wellbeing: The coast as a therapeutic landscape

“…Much of this research has focused on the health and wellbeing benefits of 'green' space proximity or exposure -woodlands, parks, gardens etc - (de Vries et al, 2003;Maas et al, 2006), with less attention given to the specific benefits of 'blue' spaces.…”

Bridging Human and Natural Sciences for a Better Understanding of Urban Floral Patterns: the Role of Planting Practices in Mediterranean Gardens

“…These ecosystem services include regulating services, e.g., control of climate and disease; provisioning services, e.g., production of food and fresh water; and supporting services, e. g., nutrient cycling or primary production (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005). Studies now focus on the underlying mechanisms linking biodiversity with human health or social relations (de Vries et al 2003, Maas et al 2006, Andersson et al 2007, Mitchell and Popham 2007. In cities, the importance of urban nature for human wellbeing and recreation has been clearly acknowledged (Dunnett andQasim 2000, Takano et al 2002).…”

Biodiversidad y síntomas depresivos en adultos mexicanos: exploración de los efectos benéficos del ambiente

“…Por definición, sin embargo, estas áreas pueden llegar a tener un efecto negativo en los ecosistemas, al disminuir su biodiversidad (39). Este resultado coincide con lo reportado en un estudio llevado a cabo en los Países Bajos, en el cual se observó que las personas que vivían en áreas con más vegetación reportaban menos síntomas de enfermedad, y tenían una mejor percepción de su propia salud general y mental (40). En dicho estudio se analizó por separado el efecto de la cobertura vegetal en zonas urbanas, áreas agrícolas y áreas naturales, y las asociaciones más significativas se encontraron en las áreas agrícolas.…”