How a farming environment protects from atopy

Deckers, Julie; Lambrecht, Bart N.; Hammad, Hamida

doi:10.1016/j.coi.2019.08.001

Cited by 20 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…Through the biophilia hypothesis, Wilson (1984) argues that humans hold an innate affinity to seek connections with nature. Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that the environmental microbiome-the diverse consortium of microorganisms in a given environment-can have positive developmental and regulatory influences on the immune system and potentially anxiolytic effects [11][12][13]. This latter claim is supported by a recent mouse study, 2 of 24 in which exposure to trace levels of biodiverse soil dust was significantly associated with reduced anxiety like behaviours [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Let Nature Be Thy Medicine: A Socioecological Exploration of Green Prescribing in the UK

Robinson

Jørgensen

Cameron

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Prescribing nature-based health interventions (green prescribing)—such as therapeutic horticulture or conservation activities—is an emerging transdisciplinary strategy focussed on reducing noncommunicable diseases. However, little is known about the practice of, and socioecological constraints/opportunities associated with, green prescribing in the UK. Furthermore, the distribution of green prescribing has yet to be comprehensively mapped. In this study, we conducted a socioecological exploration of green prescribing. We deployed online questionnaires to collect data from general practitioners (GPs) and nature-based organisations (NBOs) around the UK and conducted spatial analyses. Our results indicate that GPs and NBOs perceive and express some common and distinct constraints to green prescribing. This highlights the need to promote cross-disciplinary communication pathways. Greenspace presence and abundance within close proximity (100 and 250 m) to GP surgeries (but not greenness—as a proxy for vegetation cover) and NBO presence within 5 km were associated with higher levels of green prescribing provision. Lower levels of deprivation were associated with higher frequency of NBOs. This suggests that the availability of greenspaces and NBOs could be important for green prescribing provision, but there could be greater opportunities in less deprived areas. Important foci for future research should be to establish transdisciplinary collaborative pathways, efficient infrastructure management and a common vocabulary in green prescribing—with the overall aim of reducing inequalities and enhancing planetary health.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Let Nature Be Thy Medicine: A Socioecological Exploration of Green Prescribing in the UK

Robinson

Jørgensen

Cameron

et al. 2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Many different attempts have been made to prevent allergic diseases, although most of these attempts have been unsuccessful. However, farm animal exposure in early life is a protective factor for allergic diseases in high-income countries 93 and also possibly in some LMICs, although the mechanisms are unclear 94 . In addition, early-life exposure to cats and dogs may prevent the development of allergy but results are not consistent 95 .…”

Section: Preventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Allergic rhinitis

Bousquet

Antó

Bachert

et al. 2020

Nat Rev Dis Primers

477

385

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“…Living in an agricultural environment and contacts with farm animals and pets at home has been associated with a higher microbial diversity indoors and a decreased risk of allergic diseases (5)(6)(7)(8). Although the mechanisms of this phenomenon are not fully understood, several lines of evidence suggest that exposure to environmental microbial diversity and direct soil contacts may play a role (9)(10)(11).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%