Urban Trees and Human Health: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The urban forest is a green infrastructure system that delivers multiple environmental, economic, social and health services, and functions in cities. Environmental benefits of urban trees are well understood, but no review to date has examined how urban trees affect human health. This review provides a comprehensive summary of existing literature on the health impacts of urban trees that can inform future research, policy, and nature-based public health interventions. A systematic search used keywords representing human health, environmental health, and urban forestry. Following screening and appraisal of several thousand articles, 201 studies were conceptually sorted into a three-part framework. Reducing Harm, representing 41% of studies, includes topics such as air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, heat exposure, and pollen. Restoring Capacities, at 31%, includes attention restoration, mental health, stress reduction, and clinical outcomes. Building Capacities, at 28%, includes topics such as birth outcomes, active living, and weight status. The studies that were reviewed show substantial heterogeneity in purpose and method yet indicate important health outcomes associated with people’s exposure to trees. This review will help inform future research and practice, and demonstrates why urban forest planning and management should strategically promote trees as a social determinant of public health.

Urban street tree biodiversity and antidepressant prescriptions

“…Urban greenspace has a positive benefit on people experiencing mental ill health 11 , 13 – 15 . The focus of much of this work has been on exposure to the quantity of generic urban greenspace 14 , 16 , 17 often measured using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) 17 or the density of tree canopy 11 , 18 . Far less work has examined the influence of specific types 14 , 16 , 17 or ecological quality 14 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 —e.g.…”

Association between the Psychological Effects of Viewing Forest Landscapes and Trait Anxiety Level

“…The expansion of urban green space, which helps improve the well-being of humans using two approaches, can be a promising solution. The extension of nature can contribute to regulating ecosystem services, thereby preventing illness caused by harmful environmental conditions and heat and air pollution [ 10 ]. Moreover, access to nature can promote human health through physical activity and social interactions [ 11 , 12 ].…”

The Accuracy Validation of FireFACE Software in Analyzing Facial Expressions of Urban Forest Visitors

“…Scientific evidence demonstrates that an urban forest experience can elicit emotional response which can be positive compared to that in a promenade [2,3]. The efficiency, however, may not always follow expected level to promote mental health [4,5]. The sustainability of constructed urban forests depends on the elaborate and scientific assessment on people's mental wellbeing.…”