Nature and Health

In our technophile society enormous ecological and social changes are taking place. Modern working conditions and leisure habits favor a lifestyle that goes hand in hand with a high level of stress in everyday life and chronic diseases are often the result. Increasing urbanization is associated with an alienation from nature. Scientific studies prove the health-promoting potential of stays in nature, contact with animals and natural environments. Therefore nature is an important issue for Public Health in Austria. In the context of Green Public Health, the health benefit of nature is explored and Green-Care implements appropriate measures in nature and with animals.

Publications:

Cervinka R, Höltge J, Pirgie L, Schwab M, Sudkamp J, Haluza D, Arnberger A, Eder R, Ebenberger M, Green Public Health - Benefits of Woodlands on Human Health and Well-being; Austrian Research Centre for Forests 2014, ISBN: 978-3-902762-32-0

Haluza D., Schönbauer R., Cervinka R. Green Perspectives for Public Health: A Narrative Review on the Physiological Effects of Experiencing Outdoor Nature, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2014; 11(5):5445-61.

Haluza D., Cervinka R. Green Public Health & Green Care: Gesundheitsfördernde Wirkung von Wald Natur. Raum. Management Journal 2015, 3(1), in press.

Cervinka R., Röderer K., Hefler E. Are nature-lovers happy? On various indicators of well-being and connectedness with nature. Journal of Health Psychology 2012, 17(3), 379-388.