2014 Children, Youth and Environments Children, Youth and Environments 24(1), 2014 Other Publications of Note American Public Health Association Policy Statement #20137: Improving Health and Wellness through Access to Nature Policy Date: 11/5/2013 Available online from: http://www.apha.org/advocacy/policy/policysearch/default.htm?id=1453 As of the beginning of 2014, the American Public Health Association in the United States has a policy statement on “Improving Health and Wellness through Access to Nature.” It complements policy statements that the association adopted in past years related to land use, transportation systems, physical activity, reversing the obesity epidemic, and creating a healthy and sustainable food system—but reflects a new awareness that it is not enough to encourage walking, other forms of exercise, and healthy eating to improve health. The statement presents extensive evidence that people need nearby parks and tree-lined streets not just as stages for exercise, and community gardens not just for the fresh vegetables they yield, but because contact with nature is a health-promoting experience in itself. The statement reviews extensive evidence to this effect: that people are more likely to use public places for play, exercise and socializing when these spaces have trees and other elements of nature; and that regardless of income, people feel greater safety and security in green neighborhoods, and indeed police records show less violence in these areas. When people have green views and access to nearby parks, objective measures show lower rates of heart disease, stroke, obesity, stress and depression, and better functioning of people’s endocrine and immune systems. Subjectively, people with access to these resources report a greater sense of wellbeing . Although exercise by itself yields significant health benefits, people express greater feelings of enjoyment and vitality when they engage in “green exercise.” Low-income groups show greater health benefits from living near green spaces than high-income groups—perhaps because they are more dependent on local environmental resources. As a result, access to nature reduces health disparities between income groups. The statement notes ways in which children in particular benefit from contact with nature. It cites several studies that associate green views or activity in green spaces with more focused attention, better coping with stressful life events, better moods, and higher academic achievement, and among children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, reduced symptoms. Children who live in neighborhoods with more trees have lower levels of asthma. Low-income children who live in greener neighborhoods maintain a more stable body mass index. Not least, people who express a sense of stewardship and active care to protect the Other Publications of Note 197 natural world are likely to have had direct positive experiences of nature in childhood. The statement closes with recommended action steps to increase people’s access to nature as part of the fabric of their daily lives. Some recommendations are directed to health professionals, encouraging them to advise patients and the public at large about the benefits of green exercise, gardening, and nature-based play and recreation. The action steps acknowledge, however, that to make nature accessible to all social groups, it is important to form alliances with other groups such as parks departments, departments of planning and design, area aging agencies, and school districts. The statement notes that green spaces and community gardens are an essential part of livable and healthy communities, and trails and greenways are an important option for safe active travel by all ages. In schools and child care centers, the statement recommends natural landscaping and gardens, along with placebased education and adequate time for recess to encourage these areas’ use. In closing, it notes that education and training programs for health professionals and the broader public need to include information on the importance of promoting nature contact through green surroundings. The policy statement is full of research evidence and recommendations that could improve the lives of children and all ages, but it will depend on the efforts of people in public health and other professions to form partnerships that can turn its good ideas into reality. Review by Louise Chawla Louise Chawla holds degrees in developmental psychology and environmental psychology, and is the international coordinator of...
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