What started as a grassroots movement in the United States over a decade ago, park prescriptions have become an evidence-based treatment regimen that helps people confront both mental and physical ailments by spending more time outdoors.
In fact, at least nine countries now have nature prescription programs in some form.
Park prescriptions fall under an area of medicine called “social prescribing,” which encourages doctors to consider non-clinical treatments in primary mental and physical healthcare.
“Social prescribing is a model of care delivery that enables health professionals to formally prescribe non-clinical community activities — including the arts, movement, nature, and service (volunteering) — to improve patient health, and at minimal patient cost,” Social Prescribing USA’s website reads.
“Social prescribing is designed to address social determinants of health, including social connection. Built on a foundation of health equity and collaboration across sectors, social prescribing is intended to broaden health professional toolkits, rather than to replace pharmacological measures.”
In Canada, the BC Parks Foundation has created the PaRx program, an aptly named initiative that helps healthcare professionals improve patients’ health by connecting them with nature.
It offers practical resources to any clinician who registers with the program, as well as tools to physically prescribe and track a patient’s outdoor experiences as part of their care.
The program also helps reduce barriers to nature by giving patients and providers special offers and partnerships with nature organizations across Canada.
PaRx leaders already have the research to back up nature prescriptions.
“Backed by hundreds of studies over several decades, research suggests that connecting to nature is one of the best things you can do to improve your health,” the PaRx website explains.
Studies show that stress hormone levels drop after just 15 minutes outside; spending time in forests reduces inflammation and risks of lung infections; increasing nature time reduces risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes; and seniors who live near walkable green spaces live longer.
Nature prescribing is also good for the planet, as it requires the creation of sustainable green corridors in urban areas, boosts forest protection, and even plants the seed for children to be inspired to protect their planet.
But little research exists about the successful adoption of these programs.
In a recent peer-reviewed study published in Wellbeing, Space, and Society, scientists, including PaRx director Dr. Melissa Lem, aimed to quantify the impact of Canada’s nature prescription programming.
Researchers surveyed over 3,500 people and found that there is little public awareness of these programs, with more than 92% of respondents unaware that PaRx exists.
At the same time, 75% of participants said they would be more likely to visit natural areas if recommended by a healthcare professional.
“Respondents indicated that they would ‘likely’ or ‘extremely likely’ visit green and/or blue spaces more often if their trusted healthcare professional suggested it would be good for their health,” the study shares.
However, the study also revealed a number of barriers to accessing nature and, therefore, interest in participating in these programs. The barriers were present among respondents who identified as “newcomers, BIPOC, young adults, and individuals with children,” the study shared.
With that in mind, the researchers also found that free passes, free transportation, an educational app, and reducing the risk of prejudice among marginalized communities were all enablers that respondents suggested would increase their interest in these programs.
By identifying this information, PaRx organizers can better design programs that reach the people who need them most.
“The apparent desire amongst the Canadian public for nature prescription programming also speaks to the unique value of PaRx as a program that spans conservation and health boundaries,” the researchers shared in their conclusion.
And the best news? They have doctors on their side.
“Research has consistently found that healthcare practitioners are the world's most trustworthy professionals,” researchers continued. “Our results illustrate the immense value of this high level of trust as both a health and conservation asset.”
The results of the study suggest that healthcare practitioners are the right community to empower people to strengthen their bonds with nature, meaning the potential for nature prescriptions to grow, improve, and expand is real — especially in Canada.
The study concludes: “By helping people become aware of the benefits of nature contact or overcome the lack of motivation to spend time in natural settings, PaRx practitioners are stewarding the reciprocal maintenance of both human health and nature.”
Header image by Hennadii Hryshyn on Unsplash
