Improving Health and Reducing Costs

Green infrastructure and the activity that takes place within, such as walking and cycling, has proven to be a key factor in the improvement of the health and well-being of people with access to it. Reduced health costs are experienced in the sectors to do with adult and child obesity and mental health. On average 20% of 4 year olds are overweight, 15% of 15 year olds are obese. Green Infrastructure has also been proven to reduce stress - leading to savings in working days lost to the economy. Volunteering activity associated with green space also has benefits for physical and mental well-being.

The Ipswich River Corridor and River Gipping projects improve and create linear footpaths for exercise and relaxation while those with limited mobility will benefit from the River Gipping Access Improvements. 1,300 volunteers are expected to help the Ipswich project, 860 will contribute to the Belstead Brook Park and 135 will support the Harwich Linear Park. Clearly not all volunteers will participate in physical activities but all should improve their mental well being.

Cabe Space: If just 1 in 100 inactive people took exercise it could save the NHS in Scotland £85m/year.

References:

The Lancet; Effect of exposure to natural environments on health inequalities: an observational population study, Nov 2008

The Value of Public Space, How high quality parks and public spaces create economic, social and environmental value. Cabe Space.

University of Michegan, comparative study demonstrating that short term memory improved by 20% for those exposed to natural environments compared with city scapes. Exercise can also delay progressive disease for Alzheimer victims (University of Columbia, California, University College, London, Birmingham etc.)

RSPB, Natural Thinking; Investigating the links between the Natural Environment, Biodiversity and Mental health