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.
Highlights
There is currently a growing interest in the beneficial effects that contact with nature have for the health and well-being of humans [1,2,3].One of the worldwide problems of public health is the growing number of non-transmissible diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disorders, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer, and mental disorders [4], in which it has been demonstrated that lifestyle plays an important role [5].It has been shown that sedentarism increases the risk of suffering from diabetes, obesity, psychological disorders, and some types of cancer [6,7,8]
This study looks at the relationship between the Protected Natural Areas (PNAs) (Montseny Natural Park–Biosphere Reserve (NP-BR) (NE, Catalonia) and health, from the perspective of a population group of individuals with diseases
It corroborates the beneficial effects that the PNAs provide in human health and well-being and contributes to the study of their role in relation to health, an emerging health topic, scarcely treated in the literature
Summary
There is currently a growing interest in the beneficial effects that contact with nature have for the health and well-being of humans [1,2,3]. Physical activity is a key element in the prevention of cardiovascular disorders and their risks [9,10]. In view of this challenge, the natural environment and green spaces can be a tool to be taken into account in public health management programs [11], given that it is established that, among other. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 2182 positive effects, one of the most important benefits is that of influencing lifestyle, making it possible to carry out healthy activities, such as physical exercise [12,13]. The beliefs about the benefits of nature in regards to health are studied, as well as the reasons for visiting and the activities associated with health that they carry out in the Montseny NP-BR
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