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Let Nature Be Thy Medicine: A Socioecological Exploration of Green Prescribing in the UK

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  • Jake M. Robinson

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

  • Anna Jorgensen

    (Department of Landscape, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK)

  • Ross Cameron

    (Department of Landscape, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK)

  • Paul Brindley

    (Department of Landscape, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK)

Abstract

Prescribing nature-based health interventions (green prescribing)—such as therapeutic horticulture or conservation activities—is an emerging transdisciplinary strategy focussed on reducing noncommunicable diseases. However, little is known about the practice of, and socioecological constraints/opportunities associated with, green prescribing in the UK. Furthermore, the distribution of green prescribing has yet to be comprehensively mapped. In this study, we conducted a socioecological exploration of green prescribing. We deployed online questionnaires to collect data from general practitioners (GPs) and nature-based organisations (NBOs) around the UK and conducted spatial analyses. Our results indicate that GPs and NBOs perceive and express some common and distinct constraints to green prescribing. This highlights the need to promote cross-disciplinary communication pathways. Greenspace presence and abundance within close proximity (100 and 250 m) to GP surgeries (but not greenness—as a proxy for vegetation cover) and NBO presence within 5 km were associated with higher levels of green prescribing provision. Lower levels of deprivation were associated with higher frequency of NBOs. This suggests that the availability of greenspaces and NBOs could be important for green prescribing provision, but there could be greater opportunities in less deprived areas. Important foci for future research should be to establish transdisciplinary collaborative pathways, efficient infrastructure management and a common vocabulary in green prescribing—with the overall aim of reducing inequalities and enhancing planetary health.

Suggested Citation

  • Jake M. Robinson & Anna Jorgensen & Ross Cameron & Paul Brindley, 2020. "Let Nature Be Thy Medicine: A Socioecological Exploration of Green Prescribing in the UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-24, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:10:p:3460-:d:358648
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yichao He & Anna Jorgensen & Qian Sun & Amy Corcoran & Maria Jesus Alfaro-Simmonds, 2022. "Negotiating Complexity: Challenges to Implementing Community-Led Nature-Based Solutions in England Pre- and Post-COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-19, November.
    2. Jules Pretty & Jo Barton, 2020. "Nature-Based Interventions and Mind–Body Interventions: Saving Public Health Costs Whilst Increasing Life Satisfaction and Happiness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-23, October.
    3. Qian Sun & Mary Loveday & Saw Nwe & Nike Morris & Emily Boxall, 2023. "Green Social Prescribing in Practice: A Case Study of Walsall, UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-20, September.
    4. Hope Foley & Matthew Leach & Xiaoqi Feng & Thomas Astell-Burt & Eric Brymer, 2023. "Towards Key Principles for the Design and Implementation of Nature Prescription Programs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-14, June.
    5. John Zelenski & Sara Warber & Jake M. Robinson & Alan C. Logan & Susan L. Prescott, 2023. "Nature Connection: Providing a Pathway from Personal to Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-23, March.
    6. Daniel P. Longman & Colin N. Shaw & Veronica Varela-Mato & Aron P. Sherry & Katharina Ruettger & Mohsen Sayyah & Amber Guest & Yu-Ling Chen & Nicola J. Paine & James A. King & Stacy A. Clemes, 2021. "Time in Nature Associated with Decreased Fatigue in UK Truck Drivers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-17, March.
    7. Jake M. Robinson & Paul Brindley & Ross Cameron & Danielle MacCarthy & Anna Jorgensen, 2021. "Nature’s Role in Supporting Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Geospatial and Socioecological Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-21, February.
    8. Nicola Walshe & Hilary Bungay & Anna Dadswell, 2023. "Sustainable Outdoor Education: Organisations Connecting Children and Young People with Nature through the Arts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-17, February.
    9. Rebecca H. Lehto & Gwen Wyatt & Jessica Sender & Sara E. Miller, 2021. "An Evaluation of Natural Environment Interventions for Informal Cancer Caregivers in the Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, October.

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