Summary: Engaging in physical activity in natural settings like parks and beaches could prevent around 13,000 cases of non-communicable diseases annually in England, saving over £100 million in healthcare costs. This study underlines the critical role of natural environments in promoting health by reducing the prevalence of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Utilizing population-representative data and robust epidemiological models, the findings advocate for the accessibility and maintenance of natural spaces as a public health strategy. The study emphasizes the underestimated value of outdoor activities in disease prevention and calls for increased investments in public green spaces.
Key Facts:
- Prevention Impact: Physical activity in natural environments is estimated to prevent 12,763 cases of non-communicable diseases annually in England.
- Cost Savings: This prevention translates into annual healthcare savings of approximately £108.7 million, highlighting the economic benefits of investing in accessible natural spaces.
- Global Health Recommendations: The WHO recommends 150 to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic physical activity weekly, yet 27.5% of global adults do not meet this standard, emphasizing the need for accessible fitness opportunities like those provided by natural environments.
Source: University of Exeter
Physical activity in natural environments prevent almost 13,000 cases of non-communicable diseases a year in England and save treatment costs of more than £100m, new research from the University of Exeter has found.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the most common non-communicable diseases – including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung disease – cause 74 percent of global mortality.
Non communicable diseases, also known as chronic diseases, are not passed from person to person and deaths attributed to these diseases are increasing in most countries.
Physical inactivity is associated with a range of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes, cancers, and mental health outcomes.
In their Global Status Report on Physical Activity 2022, the WHO estimated 500 million new cases will occur globally between 2020 and 2030 should physical activity remain at today’s levels, incurring more than £21b a year in treatment costs.
Natural environments support recreational physical activity, with this new study focusing particularly on places such as beaches and coast, countryside, and open spaces in towns and cities like parks.
Using data including a representative cross-sectional survey of the English population, researchers at the University of Exeter have estimated how many cases of six non-communicable diseases – major depressive disorder, type 2 diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, ischaemic stroke, colon cancer, and breast cancer – are prevented through nature-based recreational physical activity.
Speaking about the findings, published in Environment International, Dr James Grellier from the University of Exeter Medical School said: “We believe this is the first time an assessment like this has been conducted on a national scale and we’ve almost certainly underestimated the true value of nature-based physical activity in terms of disease prevention.
“Although we have focused on six of the most common non-communicable diseases, there are several less common diseases that can be prevented by physical activity, including other types of cancer and mental ill health. It’s important to note that our estimates represent annual costs.
“Since chronic diseases can affect people for many years, the overall value of physical activity at preventing each case is certainly much higher.”
Increasing population levels of physical activity is an increasingly important strategic goal for public health institutions globally. The WHO recommends that adults aged 18 to 64 should do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity (or at least 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity) per week to maintain good health. However, globally 27.5 percent of adults do not meet these recommendations.
In 2019, 22-million adults in England aged 16 years or older visited natural environments at least once a week. At reported volumes of nature-based physical activity, Exeter researchers estimate this prevented 12,763 cases of non-communicable diseases, creating annual healthcare savings of £108.7m.
Population-representative data from the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment survey were used to estimate the weekly volume of nature-based recreational physical activity by adults in England in 2019.
Researchers used epidemiological dose–response data to calculate incident cases of six non-communicable diseases prevented through nature-based physical activity, and estimated associated savings using published costs of healthcare, informal care, and productivity losses. It’s estimated the healthcare cost of physical inactivity in England in 2019 is approximately £1b.
Dr James Grellier from the University of Exeter Medical School said: “For people without the access, desire, or confidence to take part in organised sports or fitness activities, nature-based physical activity is a far more widely available and informal option.
“We believe that our study should motivate decision-makers seeking to increase physical activity in the local population to invest in natural spaces, such as parks, to make it easier for people to be physically active.”
About this exercise, health, and depression research news
Author: Louise Vennells
Source: University of Exeter
Contact: Louise Vennells – University of Exeter
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Valuing the health benefits of nature-based recreational physical activity in England” by James Grellier et al. Environment International
Abstract
Valuing the health benefits of nature-based recreational physical activity in England
Physical activity (PA) reduces the risk of several non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Natural environments support recreational PA.
Using data including a representative cross-sectional survey of the English population, we estimated the annual value of nature-based PA conducted in England in 2019 in terms of avoided healthcare and societal costs of disease.
Population-representative data from the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) survey (n = 47,580; representing 44,386,756) were used to estimate the weekly volume of nature-based recreational PA by adults in England in 2019.
We used epidemiological dose–response data to calculate incident cases of six NCDs (ischaemic heart disease (IHD), ischaemic stroke (IS), type 2 diabetes (T2D), colon cancer (CC), breast cancer (BC) and major depressive disorder (MDD)) prevented through nature-based PA, and estimated associated savings using published costs of healthcare, informal care and productivity losses.
We investigated additional savings resulting from hypothetical increases in: (a) visitor PA and (b) visitor numbers.
In 2019, 22 million adults > 16 years of age in England visited natural environments at least weekly. At reported volumes of nature-based PA, we estimated that 550 cases of IHD, 168 cases of IS, 1,410 cases of T2D, 41 cases of CC, 37 cases of BC and 10,552 cases of MDD were prevented, creating annual savings of £108.7million (95 % uncertainty interval: £70.3million; £150.3million).
Nature-based recreational PA in England results in reduced burden of disease and considerable annual savings through prevention of priority NCDs. Strategies that increase nature-based PA could lead to further reductions in the societal burden of NCDs.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
