“Healthy Parks Healthy People” is a global movement recognizing parks as essential for human health.
This document is a review of over 500 studies.
Rising urbanization disconnects people from nature.
WHO and UN emphasize the importance of green space in global health and sustainability agendas.
Regular contact with nature is linked to:
Reduced obesity and chronic disease.
Improved cardiovascular health.
Enhanced immune function.
Parks promote physical activity such as walking, running, and cycling.
Green spaces contribute to reducing air pollution, noise, and heat, indirectly improving health.
Nature exposure is associated with:
Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.
Improved mood and cognitive function.
Enhanced psychological restoration.
Hospital patients with a view of nature recover faster.
Parks are social equalizers and community hubs.
Benefits include:
Increased social cohesion.
Reduced crime rates.
Enhanced family and community bonding.
Inclusive parks help disadvantaged communities.
Contact with nature fosters:
A sense of peace, connectedness, and purpose.
Opportunities for reflection, mindfulness, and cultural connection.
Indigenous cultures emphasize spiritual ties to the land.
Nature-based interventions (e.g., green prescriptions) improve health outcomes.
“Green exercise” combines physical activity with exposure to nature, multiplying benefits.
Park-based programs improve motivation and adherence to exercise regimes.
Urban parks and green infrastructure improve liveability.
Features that enhance use and access:
Trails, lighting, amenities, safety, and accessibility.
Walkable communities and green streets promote healthier lifestyles.
Planning needs to integrate health outcomes with green space design.
Biodiversity enhances the health value of parks.
Nature-rich parks increase psychological and ecological benefits.
Stewardship programs (volunteering, conservation work) improve:
Mental health.
Community connection.
Environmental awareness.
Embed health benefits of parks in public health, urban planning, and environmental policies.
Cross-sector collaboration is key.
Recommendations:
Support access to quality parks for all.
Invest in research on nature-health links.
Promote equitable distribution of green space.
Encourage health professionals to prescribe nature-based interventions.
The evidence is clear: nature is a powerful ally for health.
Parks should be recognized as critical health assets.
The “Healthy Parks Healthy People” approach supports sustainable communities and well-being.
The report references over 500 scientific papers. Key studies include:
Ulrich’s work on recovery rates in hospital patients with nature views.
Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory.
Studies from WHO, CDC, and academic institutions globally.
Evidence spans epidemiology, psychology, public health, environmental science, and urban planning.