Vitamin G (Green spaces and health): Potential mechanisms, policy implications and ideas for further research

Abstract

The shortest summary of this chapter is given in its title. In the term 'vitamin G', the G stands for the green space around us and vitamin for the possible positive relationship between green space and people's health. The first part of this chapter focuses on whether the amount of green space in the residential environment is related to health. The second part focuses on the mechanisms through which green space might exert a beneficial effect on health. In the third part of this chapter, policy implications of the studies on green space and health will be discussed as well as ideas for further research.