Living near natural spaces maintains the physical and mental health of older adults, study finds

Proximity to nature is a beneficial factor for the mental and physical health of seniors. This is what a new American study confirms.

The more natural spaces there are close to home, the less there is a decline in mental or physical health. A study carried out among 42,000 people aged 65 and over by researchers at the University of Washington, published in January 2024 in the journal Health and Place, shows that little can be done in terms of planning. ‘space. Being able to enjoy just 10% more wooded space, parks or bodies of water in a city is associated with a reduction in mental and physical health problems among seniors.

These results are interesting because we are living older and older. In the United States, where this study took place, one in five adults over the age of 55 suffers from psychological fragility: depression, anxiety, mood disorders. Frailty which is statistically associated with a higher risk of dementia or cardiovascular disease with advancing age. The lead author of the study says more research needs to be done to better understand these links between nature and health. But proximity to natural spaces seems to maintain the health of seniors. Reduction of exposure to pollutants, or to heat in summer, to noise, reduction of stress, encouragement to walk, better social relations, are all factors put forward.

Benefits already mentioned

This is not the first time that the benefits of green spaces in cities have been established. This does not only concern the elderly. More than a hundred international scientific publications have already made it possible to date to make the link between better mental health (less depression and stress) and proximity to spaces, either green (trees) or blue ( seas, rivers or lakes). It has also been shown that a simple visual connection to nature, with views of trees, the sky, or a sunset, improves morale.

Urban planning is therefore also a question of public health, especially since all this is offered to us free of charge. Something to ponder for the future because if today half of the population already lives in cities, this will be the case for two thirds of human beings on earth by 2050.