Why trees in towns are the secret to longer life
TREE-LINED parks and green spaces in towns and cities can add years to people’s lives, a major study has found.
They reduce the risk of death from any cause including heart disease, cancer and dementia.
Scientists say it underlines the importance of planting more plants and trees in urban areas and laying more lawns.
it comes as the daily Mail’s Be a Tree Angel campaign to create a greener Britain is launched this Saturday. The new international study, based on more than eight million people in seven countries, is the biggest of its kind.
Researchers found a significant link between greenness around homes and death rates. They said a relatively small increase in the amount of vegetation within walking distance slashed the chance of early death by 4 per cent.
dr david Rojas, a disease expert at Barcelona institute for Global Health in Spain, said: ‘This is the largest and most comprehensive synthesis to date on green space and premature mortality.
‘The results support interventions and policies to increase green spaces as a strategy to improve public health.’
Half the world’s population live in cities which have no vegetation in some places. Many studies suggest green spaces boost health.
Benefits include relieving stress, improving mood and lowering the risk of disease and an early grave. dr Rojas’s team used a simple measure of exposure to green space based on satellite images.
They compared this with death rates from all causes in Canada, the US, Spain, italy, Australia, Switzerland and China. The researchers identified a 4 per cent reduction in premature mortality for every 0.1 in vegetation score within 500 metres (1,640ft) of a residence. An area’s score ranged from between -1 to 1, indicating extremes from no vegetation to forests.
Writing in The lancet Planetary Health, dr Rojas said the analysis offered strong evidence of the impact on mortality from increasing green areas. The researchers are now applying the results to calculate the number of premature deaths that could be prevented around the world.
Professor Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, also of the Barcelona institute, said: ‘Urban greening programmes are not only key to promoting public health, but they also increase biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change, making our cities more sustainable and liveable.’
last year a study of 408 people in the US found trees and plants reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease. Over five years, those whose homes were surrounded by more greenery were less likely to suffer a stroke, heart attack or high blood pressure.
Trees are particularly good at filtering air pollutants which come from cars and roadworks.