More Green Space Could Cut Deaths in Poor Areas
A study led by Queen’s University Belfast has found that more green space in the UK’s most deprived neighbourhoods could significantly reduce the number of preventable deaths.
Currently the most deprived urban areas in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland have the lowest provision of green space. Only in Wales was green space distributed equitably across neighbourhoods.
The study found that with each 1% increase of green space in England, there was a 37% decrease in annual count of preventable deaths in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
Step ‘N’ in my 26 steps from A-Z to a Better World is Nourish Nature and it points to further research that backs this up and highlights the importance for all of us to seek out more time in nature.
The study also found 37% and 41% decreases in preventable deaths over 5 years in Northern ireland and Scotland respectively.
The lead author of this study is Dr Ngan Tran, who said, “We believe these findings emphasise the importance of prioritising investment in urban green space within the most deprived areas, which can help address two issues – inequality in distribution of green space and preventable deaths.”
Greg Cocks 
