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Nature-based citizen science as a mechanism to improve human health in urban areas

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dc.contributor.authorWilliams, C.R.
dc.contributor.authorBurnell, S.M.
dc.contributor.authorRogers, M.
dc.contributor.authorFlies, E.J.
dc.contributor.authorBaldock, K.L.
dc.date.issued2022
dc.description.abstractThe world is becoming increasingly urbanised, impacting human interactions with natural environments (NEs). NEs take a number of forms, ranging from pristine, modified, to built NEs, which are common in many urban areas. NEs may include nature-based solutions, such as introducing nature elements and biological processes into cities that are used to solve problems created by urbanisation. Whilst urbanisation has negative impacts on human health, impacting mental and physical wellbeing through a number of mechanisms, exposure to NEs may improve human health and wellbeing. Here, we review the mechanisms by which health can be improved by exposure to NEs, as explained by Stress Reduction Theory, Attention Restoration Theory, and the ‘Old Friends’/biodiversity hypothesis. Such exposures may have physiological and immunological benefits, mediated through endocrine pathways and altered microbiota. Citizen Science, which often causes exposure to NEs and social activity, is being increasingly used to not only collect scientific data but also to engage individuals and communities. Despite being a named component of scientific and environmental strategies of governments, to our knowledge, the intrinsic health benefits of Citizen Science in NEs do not form part of public health policy. We contend that Citizen Science programs that facilitate exposure to NEs in urban areas may represent an important public health policy advance.
dc.identifier.citationInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022; 19(1):1-13
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/ijerph19010068
dc.identifier.issn1661-7827
dc.identifier.issn1660-4601
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11541.2/27068
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherMDPI AG
dc.rightsCopyright 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
dc.source.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010068
dc.subjectnatural environments
dc.subjecturbanisation
dc.subjectpublic health
dc.subjectpolicy
dc.subjectcitizen science
dc.titleNature-based citizen science as a mechanism to improve human health in urban areas
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished
ror.fileinfo12239457020001831 13239457010001831 ijerph-19-00068
ror.mmsid9916604448101831

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