The past, present, and future of nature and place-based interventions for human health

Abstract

AbstractThe benefits of exposure to nature for human health and wellbeing have been evidenced throughout history and across global civilisations. However, research on nature and place-based interventions for human health often centres around a reactive healthcare model rather than fully considering the cultural and historical scope of holistic approaches to health. Adopting a context-setting approach, the article signposts readers to periods, places, and practices which have exemplified or advanced our collective global understanding of health and place. This narrative review demonstrates how different disciplines, and cultural knowledges can provide a foundation to develop nature-based interventions and further curiosity to learn from other practices. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how some people connect with their environments and consider global health. There is now an opportunity to reflection on, and ethically engage with, different practices and approaches to transition towards a more sustainable future which integrates landscape planning with health promotion.Keywords: Green prescriptionsnature-based interventionsurban natureplanetary healthmicrobiome AcknowledgementsThe author would like to think the reviewers and editor in their contribution to reviewing this paper.Disclosure statementThe authors declares that they have no relevant or material financial interests that relate to the content of this paper.Additional informationNotes on contributorsFrancesca BoydDr Francesca Boyd’s research is focused on the role of connecting with nature to provide mutually beneficial results for human and planetary health. Her PhD at the University of Sheffield focused on tailoring opportunities for engagement with urban nature for university students’ wellbeing. Francesca is the Knowledge Exchange Leader at the Ecosystem Knowledge Network.Camilla AllenDr Camilla Allen completed her PhD (University of Sheffield) on the life and work of forester and conservationist Richard St. Barbe Baker (1889–1982). She is the editor of The Politics of Street Trees (Routledge, 2022) and was shortlisted for the AHRC BBC New Generation Thinkers scheme 2023–24. Camilla worked on the AHRC-funded project ‘Women of the Welfare Landscape’ at Liverpool School of Architecture before becoming a lecturer in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield.Jake M. RobinsonDr Jake M. Robinson’s research focuses on the environment-microbiome-health axis: investigating the relationship between microbial communities, the health of humans (noncommunicable and infectious diseases) and the wider environment. He is based at Flinders University in Australia and continues to develop an interdisciplinary focus on ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation.Nicole RedversDr Nicole Redvers, ND, MPH, is a member of the Deninu K’ue First Nation and has worked with various Indigenous patients and communities around the globe helping to bridge the gap between traditional and modern medical systems. She is Assistant Professor in the Department of Family & Community Medicine at the University of North Dakota and Co-Founder and Chair of the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation based in the Canadian North.