Dossier
Natural surroundings and health
Natural surroundings can benefit human health in many ways. Wageningen University & Research studies issues concerning the optimal design and management of natural surroundings, the impact of landscape and urban design on social safety and possibilities for using the existing natural surroundings to influence human behaviour.
Examples of how natural surroundings can contribute to human health
- Recovery from stress
- Promotion of social contact
- Ensuring optimal childhood development
- Stimulation of personal development and providing a sense of purpose
- As an impetus for exercise, reducing obesity
News
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Fewer health complaints among people with a green garden
- More greenery in domestic gardens is not only favourable for climate adaptation and biodiversity in cities. It also seems to have a major impact on residents’ health and well-being. This is one of the outcomes of a study by Wageningen University & Research and the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research into the association between having a garden at home, and one’s health. -
WHO stresses the importance of green spaces for mental health
- Green spaces are important to our mental health. With urbanisation on the rise, people living in cities have less access to green areas. At the same time, the number of Europeans with mental health issues has increased by 16% over the past fifteen years, which is alarming. Sjerp de Vries, researcher at Wageningen Environmental Research, is head of the EKLIPSE working group that investigated the link between greenery and mental health. The study resulted in a publication by the World Health Organization (WHO). -
How nature boosts the health of city residents
- Trees lining a street may encourage people to take a longer stroll or choose to bike to work. New research shows how access to natural areas in cities can improve human health by supporting physical activity. The researchers plan to equip city planners with tools to create healthier, more sustainable cities around the world. -
Increased pollen in the air related to increase in coronavirus infections
- Global research has revealed that increased pollen in the air is associated with an increase in coronavirus infections. The SARS-CoV-2 virus may exploit the weakened immune response as a result of exposure to pollen. This is not only the case for hay fever patients, but also for people who are not allergic. From the Netherlands the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), the Elkerliek hospital and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) are involved in the study. The results were published in the scientific journal PNAS on March 9.
Projects
Recent publications:
- The Health and Wellbeing Effects of Forests, Trees and Green Space;
- The spatial distribution of microplastics in topsoils of an urban environment - Coimbra city case-study;
- GIANT LEAPS towards healthy and sustainable future diets by filling knowledge gaps on alternative proteins;
- Green Salutogenic Environments;
- Seaweed processing for feed.