Being out in a green space can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, preterm birth, and premature death.
By Staff Writer | April 12, 2019
A team of researchers at the University of East Anglia examined data from 140 studies involving more than 290 million people all over the world and has confirmed something that people have been saying for years, being outside in nature can have a number of health benefits.
The report showed any green space can benefit a person’s health including urban parks. Being out in a green space can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, preterm birth, and premature death. ‘Greenspace’ was defined as open, undeveloped land with natural vegetation as well as urban greenspaces, which included urban parks and street greenery.
Lead author Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “Spending time in nature certainly makes us feel healthier, but until now the impact on our long-term wellbeing hasn’t been fully understood.
Study co-author Prof Andy Jones, also from UEA, said, “We often reach for medication when we’re unwell but exposure to health-promoting environments is increasingly recognized as both preventing and helping treat disease
The research team hopes their findings will prompt doctors and other healthcare professionals to recommend that patients spend more time in greenspace and natural areas.