Protected Natural Areas: In Sickness and in Health

Abstract

Numerous studies show the benefits that contact with the natural environment have for human health, but there are few studies on the role of Protected Natural Areas (PNAs), either from the preventive point of view or on their potential benefits, on individuals with health problems. A study was made of the relationship between the visitation of Montseny Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve and health, from the perspective of a population group with different diseases. A total of 250 patients resident in the areas near the park were surveyed, recording their beliefs about the benefits of nature, as well as the reasons for visiting and the activities associated with health that they carried out in the park. The pure air is the most valued benefit (27.2%), particularly for those with allergies. The majority (57%) visit the park for health reasons. High levels (82%) of exercise are recorded, especially by patients with heart diseases (85%), and 65% exercised in the park. More physical activity is mentioned among those that visit the park most often, particularly among those that carried it out for health reasons. Plants were collected for medicinal use by 39.6%. The study confirmed the significant role of the Montseny Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve as a health resource for individuals with diseases that live near it. It also corroborates the beneficial effects that the PNA provide in human health.

The Spatial Correlations of Health Resource Agglomeration Capacities and Their Influencing Factors: Evidence from China

“…Existing studies on health resource agglomeration capacities are either been conducted at the national level using national data [ 2 , 3 , 4 ], or at the inter-provincial level using data from 31 provinces (or municipalities) across the country [ 5 ], or at the provincial (or municipal) level using data of a particular province (or municipality) [ 6 , 7 ]; or at the regional level [ 8 ]. Studies use panel data [ 9 ], cross-sectional data [ 10 ], or time series data [ 11 ]. In terms of the research methods, most researchers use models (e.g., logit model) for analysis [ 12 ], whereas a few researchers use the questionnaire method [ 13 , 14 ], entropy-weighted technique for preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) [ 15 ], and indicator metrics [ 16 ].…”

Concentration of Healthcare Resources in China: The Spatial–Temporal Evolution and Its Spatial Drivers

“…In terms of area of study, existing studies in HCR concentration have approached the subject from a national, cross-provincial, or provincial level, performing analysis on national data [4,5,6], the data of 31 provinces in China [7], or the data of a given province/city [8,9]; studies have also approached the subject from certain specific areas [10]. In terms of types of research data, scholars have used panel data [11], cross-sectional data [12], and time series data [13]. In terms of research methods, studies largely adopted statistical models (such as the logit model) for analysis [14], and a few studies adopted the questionnaire survey method [15,16], entropy weight and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methods [17], and indicator metrics [18].…”

As contribuições da visitação em parques para a saúde e bem-estar

“…Uma aproximação dos estudos que versam sobre a relação parques, saúde e bem-estar evidenciou a existência de um enfoque nos parques localizados nos centros urbanos, que confirma os resultados obtidos por Romanillos et al (2018), que afirmam que "a maioria dos estudos que abordam a relação entre a saúde e o ambiente natural é realizada sob a ótica das áreas verdes urbanas e poucas são as investigações que estudam o papel das áreas naturais protegidas (tradução livre) 13 (p. 02). No levantamento realizado, que considerou textos publicados em periódicos brasileiros e internacionais a partir de 2010, foi possível identificar 38 trabalhos que buscam especificamente compreender as contribuições dos parques urbanos para a saúde e bem-estar das populações residentes em cidades.…”