A study from Washington State University has uncovered a meaningful connection between the presence of green and blue spaces in urban areas and the mental and physical well-being of older adults.
The research shows that even minor increases in these natural environments can significantly benefit senior citizens’ health.
This study, published in Health & Place, was based on health survey data of over 42,000 individuals aged 65 and above, living in urban regions of Washington state from 2011 to 2019.
The researchers found that a mere 10% increase in forest space within a person’s ZIP code could lead to a noticeable decrease in serious psychological distress.
This type of distress includes mental health issues that demand treatment and hinder social, work, or school activities.
Similarly, a 10% rise in green spaces, like parks and tree cover, as well as blue spaces like lakes and rivers, lessened the likelihood of older adults reporting poor or fair general health.
Adithya Vegaraju, the study’s lead author and a medical student at WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, emphasized the public health implications of the loss of urban green and blue spaces due to rapid urbanization.
The study moves beyond just environmental impact, highlighting a significant public health concern.
In their research, the team correlated general and mental health outcomes with the availability of green and blue spaces, such as forests, parks, lakes, and rivers, in the participants’ residential ZIP codes.
Approximately 2% of the respondents exhibited signs of serious psychological distress, and 19% reported fair or poor general health.
Initial findings were presented at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in April 2023, focusing on the relationship between psychological distress and the proximity to green and blue spaces.
However, the final published study expanded its scope. It included various other measures like the percentage of green space, tree canopy, forest area, and the length of trails in ZIP codes.
It also considered how these factors related to self-rated general health and accounted for differences in demographics, such as race and education level.
This research is among the first in the U.S. to examine the link between proximity to nature and health in older adults. This demographic is particularly vulnerable to mental health issues like depression, which can increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Moreover, older adults are often less likely to receive treatment for their mental health conditions.
Vegaraju suggests that nature exposure could be a vital factor in preventing, delaying, or treating poor mental health in seniors.
He proposes the concept of nature prescriptions, where healthcare providers recommend spending time outdoors as part of treatment.
Solmaz Amiri, the senior study author, emphasizes the need for further research to understand how natural exposure contributes to mental and general health.
She aims to explore the potential link between nature exposure and cognitive decline, a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
The ultimate goal of this research is to address health disparities among older adults, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. These disparities are often linked to unequal access to green and blue spaces in urban settings.
By understanding and leveraging the health benefits of nature, this study paves the way for more equitable health outcomes for seniors living in urban environments.
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The research findings can be found in Health & Place.
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