Nature Outings Can Bridge Happiness Gaps Linked to Income

Phil Stevens
25th January, 2024

Nature Outings Can Bridge Happiness Gaps Linked to Income
Access to nature is increasingly recognised as important for both physical and mental health. However, the extent to which simply living near green spaces benefits everyone equally is less clear. A recent study by researchers at the University of Vienna[1] investigated whether access to nature, both through nearby greenness and actual visits, impacts well-being, and whether this impact differs based on income level. The study surveyed 2300 people in Austria, asking them to report their levels of well-being using two standard measures: the WHO-5 Well-Being Index (measuring ‘affective’ well-being – how someone feels at a given time) and the Personal Well-Being Index-7 (measuring ‘evaluative’ well-being – a more considered assessment of life satisfaction). Participants also provided information about their income, how much green space was near their homes (residential greenness), and how often they visited natural environments for recreation. The core question the study addressed was whether the benefits of nature exposure are the same for everyone, or if they are greater for those with lower incomes – a concept known as ‘equigenesis’, which suggests that disadvantaged groups may benefit more from environmental improvements. The findings suggest that simply increasing the amount of green space in a neighbourhood doesn’t automatically translate to improved well-being for all residents. Instead, the study found that how often people actively visit natural settings was the key factor in reducing well-being disparities related to income. Specifically, the frequency of recreational nature visits moderated the relationship between income and well-being. This means that the difference in well-being between high and low-income individuals was smaller for those who visited nature more often. Residential greenness, however, did not show the same moderating effect. These findings build upon earlier research demonstrating a link between green spaces and mental health. For example, a study of older adults in the US found that living in greener areas was associated with a reduced risk of both Alzheimer’s disease and depression, and that this benefit was even more pronounced for those in lower-income neighbourhoods[2]. This earlier work highlighted the potential for green spaces to mitigate health inequalities, but the Austrian study refines this understanding. It suggests that passive exposure to greenness – simply living nearby – may not be enough, and that active engagement with nature through visits is crucial, particularly for those with lower incomes. Furthermore, previous large-scale analyses across Europe have shown that increasing access to green space could prevent thousands of deaths annually[3]. However, these studies often used measures like satellite-derived vegetation indices, which represent overall greenness but don’t necessarily reflect the quality or accessibility of natural areas for recreation. The University of Vienna study adds nuance by distinguishing between residential greenness and recreational visits, suggesting that the latter is more important for addressing well-being inequalities. A scoping review examining the link between urban green spaces and mental health in primary care patients also found positive associations in the majority of studies examined, but noted a lack of research specifically focusing on primary care populations[4]. The Austrian study contributes to this body of evidence by focusing on a broad population sample and examining the moderating role of income, providing a more detailed understanding of who benefits most from nature exposure. The study’s findings have important implications for public health policy. While creating greener neighbourhoods is a worthwhile goal, efforts should also focus on ensuring that all members of society have the opportunity to access and enjoy natural settings. This could involve improving transportation to natural areas, providing free or subsidised access to parks and forests, and promoting nature-based recreational programs, particularly for disadvantaged communities.

EnvironmentHealthMental Health

References

Main Study

1) Nature visits, but not residential greenness, are associated with reduced income-related inequalities in subjective well-being.

Published 23rd January, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103175

Related Studies

2) Health Disparities in the Relationship of Neighborhood Greenness to Mental Health Outcomes in 249,405 U.S. Medicare Beneficiaries.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15030430

3) Green space and mortality in European cities: a health impact assessment study.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00229-1

4) The impact of green spaces on mental health in urban settings: a scoping review.

https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2020.1755027


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