Skip to main content

Urban Green Space May Protect Against Heat-Related Health Risks

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 23, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 23, 2024 -- Urban green spaces appear to play an important role in mitigating heat-related health risks, according to a review published online Oct. 22 in BMJ Open.

Ahsana Nazish, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to assess the impact of urban green spaces on heat-related morbidity and mortality.

Based on 12 included studies, predominantly from high-income and upper-middle-income nations, the researchers found a pattern in which regions abundant in green spaces report lower rates of heat-related morbidity and mortality in contrast to those with sparse greenery. Urban vegetation also appeared to exert a positive influence on mental health and well-being, potentially aiding in offsetting the adverse health repercussions of high temperatures.

"It is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the extent of the impact of urban greenery on heat-related morbidity and mortality, and how it interacts with other factors such as air pollution, socioeconomic status among others," the authors write. "Urban green spaces play a vital role in mitigating heat-related health risks, offering a potential strategy for urban planning to address climate change and enhance public health."

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted October 2024

Read this next

Caregiver Concern Can Be Key to Identifying Critical Illness in Hospitalized Children

FRIDAY, June 6, 2025 -- For pediatric patients presenting to a hospital, caregiver concern for clinical deterioration is associated with critical illness, according to a study...

Boarding Common for Pediatric Mental Health Emergency Department Visits

FRIDAY, June 6, 2025 -- One-third of pediatric mental health emergency department visits resulting in admission or transfer exceeded 12 hours, according to a study published in...

Atypical BMI Trajectory Detectable in Children as Early as Age 3.5 Years

THURSDAY, June 5, 2025 -- Children on the path to obesity can be detected as early as age 3.5 years, according to a study published online May 22 in JAMA Network Open. Chang...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.