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Written by John Vaughan
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Friday, 26 June 2009 13:59 |
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An ambitious new strategy will use woodlands to tackle a number of underlying causes of ill health in Scotland. (See Notes for launch details at Royal Highland Show). Illness such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, stress and obesity are all being targeted in the Woods for Health strategy being published today.
As part of the strategy, Forestry Commission Scotland, NHS Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) are working together on a number of new health improvement projects which include:
• Greening hospital grounds to promote recuperation;
• Green Gyms tackling physical jobs outdoors;
• Encouraging natural play for children;
• Woodland health walks on prescription; and
• Encouraging ethnic minorities to visit woodlands. The new projects will boost the current drive by the Scottish Government to revitalise and green up urban spaces to improve healthier lifestyles.
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: “Scotland’s forests and woodlands can play an important role in preventing many of the health problems we face today. That same greenspace is also a natural healer for those trying to recuperate from illness.
“A great deal of work has already been achieved by the Commission in revitalising neglected urban woodlands to make them into places where people can lead more active and healthier lifestyles. This will continue but our new approach will encourage and promote even more new and creative health programmes.”
The link between improved health and woodland greenspace, particularly in deprived areas, is well known. Over 80% of Scots agree that woodlands are great places to relax, reduce stress levels and exercise in but more work is needed to ensure health experts are made more aware of this.
Dr Harry Burns, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland is backing the new woodlands health strategy, he says: “Like the rest of the western world, Scotland experiences growing rates of avoidable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. These diseases bring a high cost to society and the economy and for those affected a significant person cost and reduction in quality of life.
“Levels of physical activity are still low across Scotland and we need to find ways to reverse this trend. The good news is that woodlands can play a key role in better physical and mental health as they are our natural green gyms.
SNH’s chairman, Andrew Thin, also welcomed the new strategy and the development of closer partnership working on this important agenda signalled by the event today.“Enjoying the outdoors and experiencing nature first-hand really does matter for our physical and mental health. But turning the evidence into tangible improvements in the nation’s health requires a strategic effort both nationally”. |
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Last Updated on Friday, 26 June 2009 14:03 |
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