Unlocking Health Benefits: How Greenspaces Enhance Well-Being

Researchers at The University of Queensland found that spending time in greenspaces can lead to better health. Their goal is to encourage cities to create more green areas.

Chinonso Odebeatu, a PhD student in Public Health at UQ, led a study that looked at over 440,000 people in the UK. They focused on how access to greenspaces affects vitamin D levels in the body. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, a healthy heart, and proper metabolism.

In the study, greenspace was measured within 300 and 1000 meters of each person’s home. It turned out that people with better access to natural environments were 36% more likely to have sufficient vitamin D levels.

The amount of greenspace we have around us impacts how much vitamin D our bodies produce from sunlight. This is true for everyone, no matter their skin color or where they live. Low vitamin D can lead to issues like rickets in children and serious health problems like osteoporosis, heart disease, and diabetes in adults. Greenspaces not only help with vitamin D but also boost our immune system.

Chinonso Odebeatu, PhD student at UQ

Co-author Associate Professor Nicholas Osborne noted that this research could help shape urban planning. It highlights the need for more greenspaces, especially in areas where people face a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Odebeatu added that while too much sun can be harmful, controlled sun exposure is vital. Morning sunlight is best for vitamin D production because UVB rays are less intense.

Greenspaces offer extra benefits too. They improve air quality, reduce heat in cities, encourage physical activity, and can even combat loneliness. By including greenspaces in city planning, we can promote better health and lessen the strain on healthcare systems.

This research appears in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health.