November 14, 2023
Nature Exposure and Cardiovascular Outcomes in a Large Metropolitan Area – Role of Access to Nature
Living in a high NatureScore neighborhood can positively impact cardiovascular health, yet its accessibility plays a crucial role in determining its actual effect.
Research Abstract:
Preliminary research presented this month at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions conference in Philadelphia, found that "greenspace can positively impact cardiovascular health, yet its accessibility plays a crucial role in determining its actual effect".
For green spaces to be most beneficial to health, they need to be walkable
"Previous studies have suggested that simply living in neighborhoods filled with trees, grass and plants can reduce heart disease risk. For the new study, researchers explored the relationship between green space and cardiovascular risk factors and diseases by using two metrics: NatureScore, a composite measure of the amount and quality of nature, and walk score, which gauges how easy or hard it is to walk around a neighborhood."
Read more at The American Heart Association