Green Space, Health and Well-being: A Review Ronald Macfarlane Manager, Healthy Public Policy The...
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Transcript of Green Space, Health and Well-being: A Review Ronald Macfarlane Manager, Healthy Public Policy The...
Green Space, Health and Well-being:
A Review
Ronald MacfarlaneManager, Healthy Public Policy
The Ontario Public Health ConferencePre-conference Workshop24 March 2015, Toronto
Acknowledgements
Tara Zupancic, Habitus Research
Marianne Kingsley, Toronto Public Health
Timothy Jason, Living Research
Paul LeBel, Parralax Communications
EcoHealth Collaborative partners:
York Public Health Unit
Simcoe Muskoka Public Health Unit
David Suzuki Foundation
Toronto Region Conservation Authority
Credit Valley Conservation Authority
Ontario Health Agency for Protection and Promotion
Built Environment & Health: Air Quality
Air quality in Toronto has improved, but it is still an important contributor to ill health
Impact of air pollution in Toronto
1,300 premature deaths, and
3,550 hospitalizations per year (TPH 2014)
Transportation is the major source of air pollution
Built Environment & Health: Physical Activity
Physical inactivity and obesity are risk factors for many chronic diseases
About 45% of the Toronto adult population were overweight or obese in 2012
51% of Toronto adults were moderately active or higher during leisure time and transportation in 2012
People on lower income are less active (TPH 2013)
Built Environment & Health: Mental Health
Growing recognition of the burden on society due to poor mental health
The overall burden of mental illness and addictions is more than 1.5 times that of all cancers and more than seven times that of all infectious diseases (ICES 2012)
Built Environment & Health: Challenges
Increasing urbanisation and urban sprawl
Increasing pressures on green space
A changing climate
Improving the Built Environment
Promote cycling, walking and transit
Promote a built form that supports active living
Mixed use
Connectivity
Density
Build resilience to climate change
Question
Does green space play a role in maintaining health in a more dense and growing city?
What are the characteristics of green space that are important for health?
What is green space?
Green space in urban and peri-urban areas include:
Natural areas
Parks
Community gardens
Playgrounds
Street trees
Front and back yards
Views of nature
Ulrich (1984):
Patients with the tree view had shorter postoperative hospital stays and fewer post-operative complications
The role of nature in healing has influenced design of health-care facilities
Source: Ulrich (1984)
Summary of findings
106 studies published since 2000 included in the review
2 of 3 studies found lower all-cause mortality with higher green space
1 of 2 studies found lower morbidity with higher green space
7 of 9 reported better general health with higher green space
www.century21.ca
www.century21.ca
Green Space and Well-being
28 of 39 studies showed improved well-being with more green space
Mental health (26 studies showed a positive association)
Frequent access to even small neighbourhood green space
Reduces stress and anxiety (19/23 +ve)
Increases social support
Green Space and Physical Activity
Physical Activity (17 studies)
Some evidence to suggest increased green space is associated with increased physical activity
Overall findings have been mixed
Some evidence of a positive benefit of a walk or run in a natural environment
Improved self-esteem and mood Shutterstock:bikeriderlondon
Other Health Outcomes & Green Space
Green space may also have a positive impact on:
Healthy weights (11/22 +ve)
ADD/ADHD (3/3 +ve)
Cardiovascular health (3/5 +ve)
Respiratory health (1/2 +ve)
Birth outcomes (8/8 +ve)
Courtesy of Jesse Colin Jackson Source: Jesse Colin Jackson
Green Space and Equity
Nearby green space may offer greater health benefits in low-income, high-density neighbourhoods
Quality of Green Space
It is not only the amount, but also the quality, of green space that is important for health
Negative Impacts of Green Space
Few studies address the link between green space and adverse health outcomes
Asthma
Pollen allergies
Poisonous plants found in natural areas
Contact dermatitis
Ingestion
Wikimedia Commons
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca
Conclusions
The overall strength of evidence related to the impacts of green space on health is weak to moderate
Small and large green spaces are of value
Good maintenance of green spaces increases their beneficial health impacts
The association between green space and better health is likely stronger for disadvantaged populations
Thank you
www.toronto.ca/health