Additional benefit seen for mental health and well-being<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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WEDNESDAY, Oct. 23, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Urban green spaces appear to play an important role in mitigating heat-related health risks, according to a review published online Oct. 22 in BMJ Open<\/em>.<\/p>\n Ahsana Nazish, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to assess the impact of urban green spaces on heat-related morbidity and mortality. <\/p>\n Based on 12 included studies, predominantly from high-income and upper-middle-income nations, the researchers found a pattern in which regions abundant in green spaces report lower rates of heat-related morbidity and mortality in contrast to those with sparse greenery. Urban vegetation also appeared to exert a positive influence on mental health and well-being, potentially aiding in offsetting the adverse health repercussions of high temperatures. <\/p>\n “It is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the extent of the impact of urban greenery on heat-related morbidity and mortality, and how it interacts with other factors such as air pollution, socioeconomic status among others,” the authors write. “Urban green spaces play a vital role in mitigating heat-related health risks, offering a potential strategy for urban planning to address climate change and enhance public health.”<\/p>\n