Report: Nature can provide benefits of up to hundreds of millions of euros in the fight against chronic diseases
A Finnish report has assessed for the first time the financial implications of the health benefits of nearby nature in fighting chronic diseases.
A recent review carried out by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and Nordic Healthcare Group (NHG) indicates that natural environments can provide Finland with annual benefits of up to hundreds of millions of euros in the prevention of depression and type 2 diabetes alone, as well as in the use of asthma medication.
The review concludes that access to nature is especially beneficial for mental health: it protects against depression, relieves stress, and improves mood. The finding is highly relevant, as mental health disorders not only cause human suffering, but also cost Finland approximately 11 billion euros annually.
Nearby nature has a massive impact on welfare
Natural environments such as nearby urban forests and green spaces also help prevent
cardiovascular diseases and possibly respiratory diseases, including asthma and allergies.
Typically, Finns enjoy these benefits in the nature near their home and work, as well as
during nature excursions and leisure-time activities. The benefits arise in many ways. For example, nature protects against pollution, noise, and hot weather, encourages to exercise, and provides opportunities for unwind and relax.
Furthermore, direct contact with microbes in the soil and vegetation can modify the microbiome of the human skin and respiratory tract, which may strengthen the body's defence system.
“Research in farming environments has shown that exposure to beneficial, environmental microbes can protect against asthma. As our living environments become increasingly urban, it is essential to understand what type of natural environments and exposure routes are most beneficial in the prevention of immune-mediated diseases, such as asthma and allergies”, states Martin Täubel, Chief Researcher at THL.
It is also important to consider the various benefits of natural environments together.
“For instance, the availability of near nature, the promotion of active transportation and the encouragement of physical activity as well as climate change adaptation, all share a common factor: nearby nature. Thus, they should be planned together”, states Jaana Halonen, Chief Researcher at THL.
Nature's health benefits bring significant economic value
This study evaluated for the first time, using health economics methods, the potential economic significance of nature's health benefits in Finland. The study examined the incidence of depression and type 2 diabetes, and the use of asthma medication.
It assessed how a 10% decrease in green spaces within urban environments would affect the overall costs to society. According to the calculations, the total annual costs of depression would increase by 71–150 million euros, and the costs of type 2 diabetes by 67–139 million euros from the baseline.
In the case of asthma, it was found that if Finns increased their weekly nature visits, the annual medical costs of the disease would decrease.
Accessing nature’s health benefits through a national nature health programme
To make the health and economic benefits of nature widely available, the authors
of the study propose a national nature health programme for Finland. The programme would aim to integrate nature's health benefits into people's daily lives as well as social and healthcare systems.
The report also includes recommendations for the healthcare and social welfare sector and municipalities. Municipalities should pay more attention to nature's health and climate impacts in the planning of land use and residential areas, and the building of schools and daycare centres. In the healthcare and social welfare sector, nature's health benefits should be included in healthcare recommendations, treatment paths and the training of professionals.
For the study, the researchers reviewed key Nordic research evidence on nature's health benefits from the last 20 years. The report was funded by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra.
Further information:
Terveyttä, hyvinvointia ja kustannussäästöjä luonnosta (summary in English). Sitra’s working paper.
Jaana Halonen (natural environments and cardiovascular health, climate change)
Chief Researcher
THL
Tel. +358 29 524 6100
[email protected]
Martin Täubel (beneficial microbes)
Chief Researcher
THL
Tel. +358 29 524 6466
[email protected]
Tytti Pasanen (natural environments and mental health)
Senior Researcher
THL
Tel. +358 29 524 6114
[email protected]
