Green space in cities helps mitigate health effects of extreme heat, study finds

Green spaces in cities aren’t just nice to look at – they can also help protect our health, according to a new study spanning seven countries across the world.

The analysis, published in the journal BMJ Open, compiled findings on heat-related health outcomes from 12 studies in Australia, Hong Kong, Portugal, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Vietnam.

It found that regions with more green space had lower rates of heat-related health problems and deaths compared with those with little greenery.

The presence of trees, shrubs, and other plants in cities also appeared to boost people’s mental health, the report found, potentially offsetting the impact of high temperatures on people’s wellbeing.

“Greenery helps lower ambient temperatures, which is especially beneficial during heatwaves in urban areas,” Ahsana Nazish, the study’s lead author and a researcher at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, told Euronews Health.

“Beyond physical health, access to green spaces enhances mental well-being, further mitigating the negative health impacts of high temperatures,” Nazish added.

Extreme heat can exacerbate chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma, cause medical emergencies like heatstroke, and allow infectious diseases to spread. A study published earlier this year found that more than 47,000 Europeans died from heat-related causes in 2023.

Green space plays a bigger role in people’s health beyond simply offering relief from high temperatures.

Urban green space can help relieve stress, enable people to exercise, and curb their exposure to air pollution and noise. Research has also found that children living in greener neighbourhoods also have stronger lungs.

The rule of thumb for a good level of green space is