Summary: Participating in physical activity in natural settings such as parks and beaches could prevent around 13,000 cases of non-communicable diseases a year in England, saving over £100 million in healthcare costs. This study highlights the critical role of the natural environment in promoting health by reducing the prevalence of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Using 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 highlights the underestimated value of outdoor activities in disease prevention and calls for increased investment in public green spaces.
Key facts:
- Preventive impact: Physical activity in natural environments is estimated to prevent 12,763 cases of non-communicable diseases a year in England.
- Cost reduction: This prevention translates into annual health savings of approximately £108.7 million, highlighting the economic benefits of investing in accessible natural spaces.
- Global Health Recommendations: WHO recommends 150 to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic physical activity per week, but 27.5% of adults worldwide do not meet this standard, highlighting the need for accessible fitness opportunities such as those provided by the natural environment.
source: University of Exeter
Physical activity in natural environments prevents almost 13,000 cases of non-communicable diseases a year in England and saves healthcare costs of more than £100 million, 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 transmitted from person to person, and deaths attributed to these diseases are increasing in most countries.
Physical inactivity is linked to a number of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and mental health consequences.
In their report on the global status of physical activity 2022, the WHO estimated that 500 million new cases will occur worldwide between 2020 and 2030 if physical activity remains at today’s levels, resulting in more than 21 billion pounds a year in treatment costs.
The natural environment supports recreational physical activity, with this new study focusing particularly on places such as beaches and coastlines, countryside and open spaces in small and large cities such as parks.
Using data from a representative cross-sectional study of the English population, researchers from the University of Exeter calculated the incidence of six non-communicable diseases – major depressive disorder, type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke, colon cancer, and lung cancer. breast – are prevented through natural recreational physical activity.
Speaking about the findings, published in Environment International, Dr James Grelier, from the University of Exeter’s School of Medicine, said: “We believe this is the first time an assessment like this has been carried out on a national scale and we almost certainly underestimated the true value of natural physical activity in relation to 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 through physical activity, including other cancers and mental illnesses. It is important to note that our estimates represent annual costs.
“Because chronic diseases can affect people for many years, the total value of physical activity in preventing each case is certainly much higher.”
Increasing physical activity levels among the population is an increasingly important strategic goal for public health institutions worldwide. WHO recommends that adults aged 18 to 64 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. Globally, however, 27.5 percent of adults do not meet these recommendations.
In 2019, 22 million adults in England over the age of 16 visited a natural environment at least once a week. At reported volumes of nature-based physical activity, the Exeter researchers estimate that it prevented 12,763 cases of non-communicable disease, creating annual health savings of £108.7 million.
Population-representative data from the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment survey were used to estimate the weekly amount of recreational physical activity in nature by adults in England in 2019.
The researchers used epidemiologic dose-response data to estimate incident cases of six noncommunicable diseases prevented by natural physical activity and calculated the associated savings using published costs of health care, informal care, and lost productivity. It is estimated that the health costs of physical inactivity in England in 2019 were approximately £1 billion.
Dr James Grelier, from the University of Exeter’s School of Medicine, said: “For people without access, desire or confidence to participate in organized sport or fitness activities, nature-based physical activity is a much more widely available and informal option.
“We believe our study should motivate decision-makers who want to increase physical activity in local populations to invest in natural spaces, such as parks, to make it easier for people to be physically active.”
For this exercise, health and depression research news
Author: To Louise Vennell
source: University of Exeter
Contact: Louise Vennells – University of Exeter
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Original Research: Free access.
“Evaluating the health benefits of nature-based recreational physical activity in England” by James Grellier et al. Environment International
Summary
Evaluating the health benefits of nature-based recreational physical activity in England
Physical activity (PA) reduces the risk of several non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The natural environment supports recreational PAs.
Using data comprising a representative cross-sectional survey of the English population, we estimated the annual value of nature-based PA undertaken in England in 2019 in terms of avoided health care and public costs of illness.
Population-representative data from the Monitor of Engagement in 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 epidemiologic dose–response data to estimate the incidence of six NCDs (ischemic heart disease (CHD), ischemic stroke (IS), type 2 diabetes (T2D), colon cancer (CCC), breast cancer (SC ) and major depressive disorder (MDD)) prevented through nature-based PA and estimated associated savings using published costs of health care, informal care, and lost productivity.
We explored incremental savings resulting from hypothetical increases in: (a) visitor PA and (b) visitor numbers.
In 2019, 22 million adults over the age of 16 in England visited a natural environment at least weekly. At reported volumes of nature-based PA, we estimated that 550 cases of IHD, 168 cases of IS, 1410 cases of T2D, 41 cases of CC, 37 cases of BC, and 10,552 cases of MDD were prevented, generating annual savings of £108.7m (95% uncertainty interval: £70.3m; £150.3m).
Nature-based recreational PA in England results in a reduced burden of disease and significant annual savings through the prevention of priority NCDs. Strategies that increase nature-based PA could further reduce the societal burden of noncommunicable diseases.
