Advancing Sustainability through Urban Green Space: Cultural Ecosystem Services, Equity, and Social Determinants of Health

Viniece Jennings; Lincoln Larson; Jessica Yun

doi:10.3390/ijerph13020196

Advancing Sustainability through Urban Green Space: Cultural Ecosystem Services, Equity, and Social Determinants of Health

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2016 Feb 5;13(2):196. doi: 10.3390/ijerph13020196.

Authors

Viniece Jennings¹, Lincoln Larson², Jessica Yun³

Affiliations

¹ Southern Research Station, Integrating Human and Natural Systems, USDA Forest Service, 320 Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA. vjennings02@fs.fed.us.
² Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA. lrl@clemson.edu.
³ Department of Science, Technology and International Affairs, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA. jjy24@georgetown.edu.

Abstract

Urban green spaces provide an array of benefits, or ecosystem services, that support our physical, psychological, and social health. In many cases, however, these benefits are not equitably distributed across diverse urban populations. In this paper, we explore relationships between cultural ecosystem services provided by urban green space and the social determinants of health outlined in the United States Healthy People 2020 initiative. Specifically, we: (1) explore connections between cultural ecosystem services and social determinants of health; (2) examine cultural ecosystem services as nature-based health amenities to promote social equity; and (3) recommend areas for future research examining links between urban green space and public health within the context of environmental justice.

Keywords: ecosystem services; green space; nature; parks; public health; urban health.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Ecosystem*
Environment
Environment Design*
Humans
Nature*
Public Health
Social Determinants of Health*
Social Justice
Urban Health*