Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Approaching environmental health disparities and green spaces: An ecosystem services perspective

Formally Refereed

Abstract

Health disparities occur when adverse health conditions are unequal across populations due in part to gaps in wealth. These disparities continue to plague global health. Decades of research suggests that the natural environment can play a key role in sustaining the health of the public. However, the influence of the natural environment on health disparities is not well-articulated. Green spaces provide ecosystem services that are vital to public health. This paper discusses the link between green spaces and some of the nation’s leading health issues such as obesity, cardiovascular health, heat-related illness, and psychological health. These associations are discussed in terms of key demographic variables—race, ethnicity, and income. The authors also identify research gaps and recommendations for future research.

Sound Research audio clip of this publication is available.

Keywords

ecosystem services, green space, urban health, nature

Citation

Jennings, Viniece; Johnson Gaither, Cassandra. 2015. Approaching environmental health disparities and green spaces: An ecosystem services perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2015, 12. 17 p.
Citations
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/47694