Green Spaces Linked to Lower Risks of Hospital Admissions for Mental Disorders
A recent study published in The BMJ’s climate issue has found that higher levels of greenness are associated with lower risks of hospital admissions for mental disorders. The analysis, which spanned two decades and seven countries, revealed a protective effect of green spaces on mental health.
The study included data from 11.4 million hospital admissions for mental disorders across 6,842 locations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, South Korea, and Thailand from 2000 to 2019. Researchers examined the relationship between greenness, measured by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and various mental health outcomes, including all-cause mental disorders, substance use disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, behavioral disorders, dementia, and anxiety.
The results showed that greater exposure to greenness was associated with a 7% reduction in hospital admissions for all-cause mental disorders, with stronger associations for specific disorders like substance use disorders, psychotic disorders, and dementia. The protective effect of green spaces was most pronounced in urban areas, where an estimated 7,712 hospital admissions for mental disorders could potentially be prevented annually through greater exposure to greenness.
However, the study also revealed variations in the associations between greenness and mental health outcomes across different countries. While countries like Brazil, Chile, and Thailand showed consistent protective associations, Australia and Canada exhibited modestly increased risks for certain mental disorders.
The researchers highlighted the importance of considering factors like population levels, weather conditions, air pollutants, socioeconomic indicators, and seasonality when assessing the impact of green spaces on mental health. They also emphasized the need for further research to explore the differential effects of various types of green spaces, such as parks or forests, on mental health outcomes.
Overall, the study suggests that greening interventions in urban areas could have significant benefits for mental health, potentially reducing healthcare costs, improving workplace productivity, and enhancing community well-being. By increasing access to green spaces, policymakers and urban planners can help create healthier and more resilient communities.
For more information on this study, you can access the full article titled “Greenness and hospital admissions for cause-specific mental disorders: multicountry time series study” in The BMJ.
