Evidence

‘Transforming Mental Health and Dementia Provision with the Natural Environment’ was a 2016 conference that brought together policy makers, researchers, service providers and decision makers from the health, social care and natural environment sectors. This report is a summary of the event’s findings and proposals.

A systematic review of forest therapy programmes designed to decrease the level of depression amongst adults, this study found that it is an emerging and effective intervention for decreasing adults’ depression levels. More research is needed on the long-term effects of forest therapy.

This report explores the options for improving the commissioning of, and referral to, green social prescribing services. It also looks at how to scale up provision of nature-based interventions.

This study found that men living in greener areas had lower risk for developing prostate cancer, even after controlling for lifestyle and socio-economic factors. It was a case-control study of nearly 4000 subjects conducted in Montreal, Canada.

This includes particularly useful information estimating the financial benefit of social prescribing initiatives

While there is general agreement that exposure to nature environments general resulted in significantly positive effects on attention, there is a diversity of evidence and uncertainty around which aspects of attention may be affected.

This study of women in the United States found that those living in the highest quintile of green space access had lower risk of mortality; these associations were particularly strong for cancer mortality and respiratory illness.

This excellent report gives a wide-ranging overview of the impact of gardens and gardening on mental and physical health, along with recommendations for the place of gardening within the health and care system.

This report covers the findings of a systematic review examining if taking part in activities that enhance the natural environment (e.g. volunteering on path maintenance) could improve physical and mental health. It found that participating in such conservation activities caused people to feel better, increased social contact, and provided a sense of achievement. However, further research is needed.

This is a comprehensive overview covers environmental benefits of nature such as improved air quality, improved microclimatic conditions and noise mitigation. It also looks at the influence of nature connection on health and wellbeing, the health benefits of physical activity outdoors, and social benefits such as quality of public spaces and reduced tension. It offers recommendations for stakeholders and policymakers.