RESEARCH

Nature-Based Interventions for Improving Health and Wellbeing: The Purpose, the People and the Outcomes

The expert elicitation process successfully summarized 27 distinct nature-based interventions that have received research attention. These interventions were categorized into those that modify the environment and those that aim to change behavior to encourage interaction with nature.

Program Types: Therapeutic, Social

Population Groups: General Population

Setting or Context: Hospitals/Clinics, Community Gardens, Residential Programs, Workplace Environments, Farms, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Greater Sense of Purpose, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Improved Stress Management, Better Nutritional Awareness, Increased Social Engagement & Skills

Allied Profession Intersections: Social Work, Education

Type of Activity: Indoor Plant Care, Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Environmental Education, Forest/Natural Area Immersion, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Qualitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Metrics for Physical Health

Access: Free

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Summary

This study used a method called Delphi expert elicitation to figure out what kinds of nature-based activities are being used to improve people’s health and well-being. The researchers started with a list of these activities from existing research. Then, they asked 19 experts from different fields related to nature and health to review and refine this list through three rounds of questionnaires. These experts helped to make sure the list was accurate, remove similar activities with different names, and add any that were missing. This process helped the researchers build a shared understanding of the different ways nature is being used for health benefits.

The research identified 27 different nature-based interventions that have been studied. These interventions can be broadly grouped into two main types: those that change the surroundings where people live, work, or heal (like adding gardens to hospitals or creating more parks), and those that are programs or activities designed to get people to interact with nature (like doctors prescribing time outdoors or organized wilderness trips). The study also looked at who these interventions are for and what health outcomes they aim to achieve.

Link

Shanahan, D.F., Astell-Burt, T., Barber, E.A. et al. (2019). Nature-based interventions for improving health and wellbeing: The purpose, the people and the outcomes. Sports (Basel), 7(6), 141

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