Recent insights on the benefits of urban blue and green areas to the health and well-being of older adults

A recent article by the University of Coimbra team “Benefits of urban blue and green areas to the health and well-being of older adults” published in Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, analysed studies exploring the relationship between Urban Blue and Green Areas (UBGAs) and health and well-being indicators in older adults. The study aimed to assess whether UBGAs had the potential to improve health and well-being in this specific age group given the world’s ageing trend. It was found that in many of the studies reviewed, these natural urban environments were found to be beneficial in terms of various health and well-being indicators (e.g. perceived health, depression, mortality). Understanding the role of UBGAs in the health and well-being of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, is crucial to the development of sustainable cities under the One Health concept. This article was carried out as part of the Pharaon – Pilots for Healthy and Active Ageing project, supporting several objectives of the OneAquHealth project.

Find the full open access article here:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379088842_Benefits_of_urban_blue_and_green_areas_to_the_health_and_well-being_of_older_adults

Author(s): Sónia Serra, University of Coimbra