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Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence

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  • Marcia P. Jimenez

    (Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    These authors contributed equally as first authors to this work.)

  • Nicole V. DeVille

    (Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    These authors contributed equally as first authors to this work.)

  • Elise G. Elliott

    (Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Jessica E. Schiff

    (Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Grete E. Wilt

    (Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Jaime E. Hart

    (Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    These authors contributed equally as senior authors to this work.)

  • Peter James

    (Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    These authors contributed equally as senior authors to this work.)

Abstract

There is extensive empirical literature on the association between exposure to nature and health. In this narrative review, we discuss the strength of evidence from recent (i.e., the last decade) experimental and observational studies on nature exposure and health, highlighting research on children and youth where possible. We found evidence for associations between nature exposure and improved cognitive function, brain activity, blood pressure, mental health, physical activity, and sleep. Results from experimental studies provide evidence of protective effects of exposure to natural environments on mental health outcomes and cognitive function. Cross-sectional observational studies provide evidence of positive associations between nature exposure and increased levels of physical activity and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, and longitudinal observational studies are beginning to assess long-term effects of nature exposure on depression, anxiety, cognitive function, and chronic disease. Limitations of current knowledge include inconsistent measures of exposure to nature, the impacts of the type and quality of green space, and health effects of duration and frequency of exposure. Future directions include incorporation of more rigorous study designs, investigation of the underlying mechanisms of the association between green space and health, advancement of exposure assessment, and evaluation of sensitive periods in the early life-course.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcia P. Jimenez & Nicole V. DeVille & Elise G. Elliott & Jessica E. Schiff & Grete E. Wilt & Jaime E. Hart & Peter James, 2021. "Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4790-:d:546739
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