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Green Prescriptions and Their Co-Benefits: Integrative Strategies for Public and Environmental Health

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  • Jake M. Robinson

    (Department of Landscape, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
    in VIVO Planetary Health, of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), West New York, NJ 10704, USA
    Improving Wellbeing through Urban Nature (IWUN), Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
    Healthy Urban Microbiome Initiative (HUMI), Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Martin F. Breed

    (Healthy Urban Microbiome Initiative (HUMI), Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
    School of Biological Sciences and the Environment Institute, the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

Abstract

There is a growing recognition of the links between the increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, environmental concerns including biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, and socioecological issues such as ecological (in)justice. This has encouraged a number of recent calls for the development of integrative approaches aimed at addressing these issues—also known as nature-based solutions. An example of an emerging nature-based solution is a ‘green prescription’, broadly defined as a nature-based health intervention. Green prescriptions are typically designed for patients with a defined need and they have the potential to supplement orthodox medical treatments, particularly those aimed at addressing noncommunicable diseases. It is also thought that green prescriptions could bring about significant environmental, economic, and social co-benefits. However, researchers have recently expressed concerns over taking the ‘dose of nature’ approach, in that it may be too reductionistic for the complex social settings in which it is provided. Here we frame a holistic philosophical perspective and discuss green prescribing logic, types, mechanisms and fundamental remaining questions and challenges. We place a significant emphasis on the potential co-benefits of green prescriptions, and the importance of taking a planetary health approach. More research is needed to determine how this potential can be realised, and to further understand the complexities of the nature–human health relationship. However, with additional research and support, there is huge potential for green prescriptions to contribute to both reactive (health care) and proactive (health promoting) public health solutions whilst enhancing the natural environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Jake M. Robinson & Martin F. Breed, 2019. "Green Prescriptions and Their Co-Benefits: Integrative Strategies for Public and Environmental Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:10:y:2019:i:1:p:9-:d:198478
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Valentina Roviello & Melinda Gilhen-Baker & Caterina Vicidomini & Giovanni N. Roviello, 2022. "The Healing Power of Clean Rivers: In Silico Evaluation of the Antipsoriatic Potential of Apiin and Hyperoside Plant Metabolites Contained in River Waters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-9, February.
    4. Brian Peterson Roest, 2019. "Bees in the D : A Message of Conservation from an Urban Environment," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-5, March.
    5. Carly J. Wood & Jo L. Barton & Claire L. Wicks, 2022. "The Impact of Therapeutic Community Gardening on the Wellbeing, Loneliness, and Life Satisfaction of Individuals with Mental Illness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-14, October.
    6. S.M. Labib & Faysal Kabir Shuvo & Matthew H. E. M. Browning & Alessandro Rigolon, 2020. "Noncommunicable Diseases, Park Prescriptions, and Urban Green Space Use Patterns in a Global South Context: The Case of Dhaka, Bangladesh," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-23, May.
    7. David H. Nelson & Susan L. Prescott & Alan C. Logan & Jeffrey S. Bland, 2019. "Clinical Ecology—Transforming 21st-Century Medicine with Planetary Health in Mind," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-16, February.

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