The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently released their updated Culture of Health measures, to track movement toward a nation where everyone, regardless of background or zip code, has a fair and just opportunity for health and well-being. Last year, we wrote about the measures on this blog, demonstrating alignment with Build Healthy Places Principles for Building Healthy and Prosperous Communities.
Read MoreStudies that connect green space to mental health and wellbeing abound. And this connection is intuitive—people have long retreated to parks and natural places to recharge from the pressures of daily life. Less known is the fact that greening is gaining recognition as an effective violence prevention strategy.
Read MoreWhen it comes to the range of social benefits that we can receive from urban green spaces—common areas where people can recreate, volunteer, and connect with others in their city—our understanding continues to unfold. While social isolation can be considered a growing epidemic in the United States, social disconnection may be a root cause of depression and diminished quality of life.
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