Living near nature linked to longer life: study

They compared the risk of death with the amount of flora and vegetation near homes of women and found that women living in green areas, had...

They compared the risk of death with the amount of flora and vegetation near homes of women and found that women living in green areas, had a 12% lower than that of women in areas live less green mortality. were of vegetation using satellite images from different seasons and years determined.

"We were surprised that there was a mortality rate of 12 percent was less," said Peter James, author of the study and a research associate in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Chan. "We know that the vegetation can help to mitigate the effects of climate change. Our study the possibility of co-benefits to health suggests."

The team believes that the results would look like if men were included in the study.

As vegetation can prolong life

In analyzing the causes of death among the study participants, the researchers found that women of the greenest areas of kidney disease, a mortality rate of respiratory illnesses by 34% mortality rate was lower 41% lower and cancer mortality rate of 13% less than those in regions with less vegetation live.

The study suggests that several factors in reducing the mortality rates can play a role in improving mental health, including, as measured by the levels of depression and believes that it represents 30% of the benefits of living in the most green areas , Increased opportunities for social engagement, increase physical activity and to reduce exposure to air pollution may also play an important role, according to the study.

"We were surprised by the size of the path of mental health," James said.

While previous studies about the health benefits of exposure to nature have investigated this new study is the search first at national level in the connection between rates of greenery and death over a period of several years, said in -er.

"To the best of my knowledge and belief, this is the first study, the exposure on the basis of residence conducted in a large geographical area analysis, the United States," he said.

The team provides to individual socioeconomic measures and individual risk factors such as smoking, help on other factors to eliminate concerns, which could explain the link health.

Nature takes many forms

James stressed that the results of the study suggest, not that people who have to travel far in the country a long life, as any increase in the vegetation appears to be associated with lower mortality.

"I want to emphasize that 84 percent of study participants living in urban areas," he said. "We can not say that you have to live near a park."

The results can inform the design and planning in the neighborhood. "Policy makers, planners and architects can have this tool to make healthier and more sustainable," James said.

"This study is another step to the evidence that nature can add to be linked better health."