Green Infrastructure and Public Health

The World Health Organization defines human health not simply in terms of lack of illness or disease, but as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing’. The Science for Environment Policy In-depth Report on The Multi-functionality of Green Infrastructure draws a conceptual framework linking Green Infrastructure, ecosystems and human health. It distinguishes eight types of Green Infrastructure that have an impact on eight ecosystem functions and services (air purification; climate and radiation regulation; water purification; soil and nutrient cycling; habitat provision; waste decomposition; aesthetic and spiritual; noise pollution control) and six aspects of ecosystem health (air quality; soil structure; energy and material cycling; water quality; habitat and species diversity; ecosystem resilience). Together these interact with four socio-economic health factors (income and employment; education and lifestyle; living and working conditions; access to services and housing), four community health aspects (sense of community identity; community empowerment; social capital; culture), six aspects of physical health (cardiovascular; endocrine functions and immunity; nervous system; respiratory; digestive; bone tissue) and four aspects of psychological health (relaxation from stress; positive emotions; attention capacity; cognitive capacity). It is a complex system and many of the interactions are two-way. Some of the most important links are as follows:

• Green Infrastructure helps to regulate air quality by removing contaminants through filtration, decomposition and assimilation;
• Improved noise abatement, trees and shelter belts provide sound screening from traffic noise for human settlements;
• Urban Green Infrastructure helps to regulate the urban heat island effect thereby reducing heat stress;
• Green Infrastructure areas encourage physical activity, which is linked to many aspects of physical and mental health;
• Opportunities for contact with nature offer stress reduction, which is linked to many aspects of physical and mental health; and
• Attractive, Green Infrastructure particularly in cities promotes social cohesion and reduces social inequalities; in turn leading to reduced public health issues linked with inequality(such as diet related health concerns).