How to Spot Income Inequality From Space? Count the Trees

[KittyWampus]

5. Access to Green Space Improves Mental Health

Parks, Green Spaces Protect Your Health
Study Shows People Living Near Parks Less Likely to Have Depression
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20091014/parks-green-spaces-protect-your-health



There is more evidence that living near parks, woods, or other green spaces may improve your mental and physical health.

Close proximity to green spaces was associated with less depression, anxiety, and other health problems in a newly published study. The relationship was strongest for children and people with low incomes.

The research is not the first to suggest that green spaces help keep people healthy, but it is the first to assess their impact on specific health conditions.

Investigators in the Netherlands examined patient health records from medical practices throughout the country. Using postal codes, they were also able to determine the percentage of green space existing within about 2 miles of each patient's home.

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Biggest Impact on Anxiety, Depression
The study included data on the prevalence of 24 different health conditions treated over the course of a year among about 350,000 patients seen at 96 practices.

For 15 of the 24 conditions, the annual prevalence was lower among patients living in the greenest areas, even after the researchers controlled for factors known to influence health.





Access to green space, physical activity and mental health: a twin study.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25631858


Green space, urbanity, and health: how strong is the relation?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2566234/