The study was the largest and most comprehensive look at the connection between green space and mortality to date. Led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Colorado State University and The World Health Organisation, it involved an analysis of data from more than 8 million people worldwide.
The findings were clear: the more vegetation there was within 500 metres of a home, the greater the reduction in premature death.
“The results support interventions and policies to increase green spaces as a strategy to improve public health,” the study’s author David Rojas explained.
"Urban greening programs are not only key to promoting public health,” Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, director of the Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative at ISGlobal added. “They also increase biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change, making our cities more sustainable and liveable.”
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