Nature is medicine for many ailments – the Health from Nature programme increases everyday nature exposure
The new Health from Nature programme aims to improve health and well being by strengthening people’s exposure to nature in everyday life and across different sectors of society. The programme is based on extensive research evidence on the health benefits of natural environments.
The goals of the Health from Nature programme combine health promotion and disease prevention, increased well being for people and the environment, and improved sustainability of the national economy.
During the ten year programme, the aim is, among other things, to increase awareness of nature’s health benefits, increase the time people spend in nature, and improve opportunities for outdoor activities. In addition, the programme seeks to integrate nature’s health benefits into education and recommendations in the social and health care sector.
Nature supports health in many ways
Research shows that spending time in nature strengthens mental health in many ways: it protects against depression, alleviates stress, and improves mood.
Furthermore, having abundant nature close to home helps prevent overweight and type 2 diabetes. Regular contact with nature’s beneficial microbes also appears to strengthen the body’s immune system.
“Due to urbanisation and changing lifestyles, Finns’ contact with nature has decreased. At the same time, mental health disorders have become a significant public health issue. With this programme, we want to bring more nature exposure into people’s daily lives and thereby support their health,” says Jaana Halonen, Lead Researcher at THL.
Impact through a broad partner network
The Health from Nature programme produces materials, measures, and recommendations for key stakeholders, including the social and health care sector, municipalities, organisations, working life actors, and decision makers.
The programme also conducts diverse communication efforts to increase awareness of nature’s health benefits and ensure that the positive effects of nature become part of everyday life for more people.
“A wide range of actors are already doing excellent work to strengthen nature contact and promote health. Through cooperation, we can integrate nature’s health benefits into this work,” says Anniina Salmela, programme coordinator and Senior Researcher at THL.
The Health from Nature programme is coordinated by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). Its activities are planned and guided by a coordination group consisting of organisations that were actively involved in designing the programme, including Sitra, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Finnish Allergy, Skin and Asthma Federation, MIELI Mental Health Finland, Finnish Lung Health Association, The Organisation for Respiratory Health in Finland, The Age Institute, The Association of Finnish Finnish Cities and Municipalities, Terveystalo, and Metsähallitus’ Parks & Wildlife Finland.
“We hope that other actors, including wellbeing services counties, employers, and municipalities, will also join in implementing the programme’s actions,” Salmela says.
Further Information
Programme website: terveyttaluonnosta.fi
Report (in Finnish): Health from Nature programme (2026–2035)
Anniina Salmela
Senior Researcher
THL
tel. +358 29 524 7712
[email protected]
