Our Natural Health Service
Did you know that people who live close to a park are more likely to lead active lives and less likely to be overweight? A recent study commissioned by Natural England found that people living in neighbourhoods more than a mile from a park had a 27 per cent greater chance of being overweight or obese.
The study proved what might seem to be common sense – that people are healthier if they live within an attractive natural environment.
Natural England wants to encourage everyone to make the most of their green space. We believe our parks, woodlands, and countryside, even our tree lined streets are a major resource that can help us combat rising levels of diseases such as diabetes, obesity and depression.
A new campaign, Our Natural Health Service, wants to ensure that every one in the country has good access to green space and that our health services make better use of it.
Percentage of the population obese in England
1993 20%
2006 24%
2010 30% (prediction)
2050 60% (prediction)
Source: Foresight report, 2007
Natural England has two key aims for the Natural Health Service
- To increase the number of households that are within five minutes walk of an area of green space of at least two hectares
- To enable every GP or community nurse to be able to signpost patients to an approved health walk or outdoor activity programme.
Here’s how anyone can get involved:
- Try Natural Englands Green Space checker to measure the quality of parks and patches of nature where you live (their quick questionnaire will only take a minute)
- Find out about outdoor events going on near where you live
- Find out about health walk groups near where you live.
01.09.09
