OP-ED: The Climate Crisis is a Mental Health Crisis. Building Smart-Surface Public Spaces is an Easy Prescription
By Greg Kats, Howard Frumkin, and Georges C. Benjamin · Amsterdam News · August 15, 2024
Co-Authored by Howard Frumkin, Nature and Health co-founder and Steering Committee member
As the Conference of the Parties (COP) 28 closed with much fanfare and a first-time “transition away” from fossil fuels commitment that’s drawing skeptics, here’s what we do know: The planet we live on and need survival for is getting hotter.
Continue reading at Amsterdam News
Revitalize Parks to Strengthen Democracy
Stanford Social Innovation Review · Summer 2024
Co-authored by Howard Frumkin, Nature and Health co-founder and Steering Committee member
Tucked away in the Cascade Mountains of Central Washington, amid miles of hiking trails and fruit orchards, sits Methow Park on the south side of the small town of Wenatchee.
Continue reading at Stanford Social Innovation Review
Reflecting on Equitable Parks Access During Juneteenth
As we commemorate Juneteenth tomorrow, let’s reflect upon the importance of equitable access to nature and feeling safe outdoors. Throughout US history, segregation has heavily influenced who could enjoy outdoor spaces.
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Nature for all: Bridging Health Equity Through the Initiative-Funded Project Nature
Population Health News · May 30, 2024
Featuring Pooja Tandon, Nature and Health Research Collaborative member
Engaging in outdoor play and exploration can significantly enhance a child’s physical health and mental well-being.
Continue reading at Population Health News
How the Smells of Nature can Affect Human Well-Being
Whether it’s a walk in the park, hike in the forest or tending to a backyard garden, there’s ample subjective and scientific evidence that being in nature can have beneficial effects for us, from relieving stress to improving our mood.
Continue reading at OPB
How do the Smells of Nature Affect Well-Being? A Call for More Research.
Harvard Chan School News · May 23, 2024
Featuring Gregory Bratman, Nature and Health co-director and researcher
A group of scientists has proposed a framework for expanding research into how odors and scents from natural settings impact human health and well-being.
Parks Have Social Superpowers. Let’s Make More of Them.
Howard Frumkin · Seattle Times · May 17, 2024
Howard is a Nature and Health researcher and Steering Committee member
Across our nation, the bonds of familiarity, trust and solidarity that sustain a strong society are badly frayed.
Scientists Want to Know How the Smells of Nature Benefit Our Health
Featuring Gregory Bratman, co-director of Nature and Health
James Urton · UW News · May 15, 2024
Spending time in nature is good for us. Studies have shown that contact with nature can lift our well-being by affecting emotions, influencing thoughts, reducing stress and improving physical health.
2024 Nature and Health Symposium
On May 1, 2024, over 100 researchers, community members, students, and policy makers attended the seventh annual Northwest Nature and Health Symposium at the wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House. Seven speakers from institutions across the US, in addition to a panel from the Greening Research in Tacoma project, presented on topics centered on the interconnections between nature and human well-being.
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Discussion on Global Mental Health and Climate Change
The 2023-24 Global Mental Health Speakers series is a collaboration between the UW Consortium for Global Mental Health and the Population Health Initiative. Each event is followed by a 30 minute informal reception to build community and connection among the people gathered.
Watch the Talk