Diverse 24 / Green Public Health

Executive Summary
This study aims to provide an overview of the scientific literature on the benefits of wood lands on people’s health, well-being, and quality of life. Its intention is to high light the advantages of the forest as a place for leisure activities, restoration, recovery from stress and further social and therapeutic interventions. Its aim is to take stock of the current state of the scientific knowledge and provide a knowledge base for projects re lating to Green Care in woodlands and Green Public Health. Both scientific and practical projects have been taken into account.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary
1. Introduction
1.1 Nature and Health
1.2 Forests as Natural Habitat
1.3 Task and Objective of the Literature Review
2. Method
3. Special Aspects of Forests as Natural Habitat
3.1 Trees and Forests
3.2 Forests as Setting for Health-related Activities
4. Health Promotion, Health Prevention and Forests: Focusing on Healthy Groups of People
4.1 Forests and Physical Health
4.2 Forests and Mental Health
4.3 Forests and Social Health
5. Therapy, Rehabilitation and Forests: Focusing on Groups of People with Diseases
5.1 Forests and Mental, Physical and Social Symptoms of Disease
5.2 Wilderness Therapy Programmes
6. Conditions Influencing Health Effects in Forests
6.1 Duration of the Visit
6.2 Activities and Exercise
6.3 Social Context - Alone or in Company
6.4 Other Influencing Factors
7. General Conditions for Nature and Forest Visits
7.1 Social and Personal Conditions
7.2 Reasons for Seeking Restoration in Forests and Activities Undertaken in Forests
7.3 Monetary Aspects of Restoration in Forests
8. Practical Examples
8.1 Developments in Asia, Europe and Australia
8.2 Healing Forest Garden Nacadia
8.3 The (computer-generated) Virtual Forest
9. Overview of Scientific Reviews and Outlook
References
Books
Links