Cities and Urbanization

Mental health: why green spaces are vital for reducing loneliness

A women reads in the sunshine in Hyde Park in London, as a study finds green space can reduce loneliness.

One in four Australians feel lonely on three or more days a week - but green spaces can help. Image: REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Thomas Astell-Burt
Professor of Population Health and Environmental Data Science, NHMRC Boosting Dementia Research Leadership Fellow, University of Wollongong
Xiaoqi Feng
Associate Professor in Urban Health and Environment; NHMRC Career Development Fellow, UNSW
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a chart showing the link between green spaces and lonliness
People are less likely to be lonely if they have access to green space. Image: The Conversation. Data: Astell-Burt et al 2021, CC BY
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a chart showing the link between green spaces and lonliness
As green spaces go up, loneliness goes down. Image: The Conversation. Data: Astell-Burt et al 2021, CC BY
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What is the World Economic Forum doing to encourage healthy living in cities?

a picture of a park
Green spaces provide natural settings where everyone can play and connect. Image: Thomas Astell-Burt
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Related topics:
Cities and UrbanizationFuture of the EnvironmentMental Health
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