NIHR Evidence Alert: study links green and blue spaces to improved mental health in Wales
22 November
A comprehensive and large-scale study conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Public Health Research programme, with contributions from Health and Care Research Wales, has uncovered significant links between the proximity of green and blue spaces and improved mental health in Wales.
The research represents the largest and most comprehensive study carried out which demonstrates the benefits of a green home environment and access to green and blue spaces in mental health.
Over the course of a decade, researchers analysed data from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank, which was also funded by Health and Care Research Wales. The study tracked over two million Welsh residents to explore how the presence of green and blue spaces, including parks, lakes and beaches, impacted their mental health.
The findings revealed that individuals living within 200-300 metres of greener environments and with easier access to green and blue spaces experienced a lower risk of developing anxiety and depression.
The study's primary goal was to isolate the specific impact of these green and blue spaces on mental health, independent of other factors such as wealth. Researchers also considered whether the benefits of green spaces were more pronounced in wealthier or less affluent areas.
The researchers suggest that increasing greenery in urban environments could significantly boost the mental health of the general population, particularly those in deprived areas and those with a history of mental health issues.
In addition to mental health benefits, green and blue spaces offer other advantages, including improved air quality and wildlife habitats. To maximise these benefits, the researchers emphasise the importance of maintaining safe, accessible spaces that meet the needs of all community members, such as ensuring wheelchair accessibility and security.
Professor Sarah Rodgers, a Health Informatics expert at the University of Liverpool and the study's lead author, said: “It was surprising to see such a significant reduction in GP-reported mental health issues linked to greener spaces.
“This evidence reinforces the idea that our environments are essential in preventing ill health and that health is truly everywhere. By understanding how social and environmental factors influence healthcare use, we can create healthier urban spaces for future generations.”
The study, titled Ambient greenness, access to local green spaces, and subsequent mental health: a 10-year longitudinal dynamic panel study of 2·3 million adults in Wales, was recently featured in NIHR's Evidence Alert.
The Public Health Research (PHR) programme is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with contributions from Health and Care Research Wales, the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) in Scotland and the HSC R&D Division, Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland.