Biophilic Public Health - ttophs.govt.nz

Biophilic Public Health:

Shaping policy and practice

23rd IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion

9 April 2019

Rotorua

Dr Neil de Wet

Medical Officer of Health

Peak human

health?

The Rockefeller Foundation–Lancet Commission Report on Planetary Health, 2015

The Rockefeller Foundation–Lancet Commission Report on Planetary Health, 2015

Inequities

Chronic diseases

Obesity

Diabetes

Mental health

Population health issues:

Health

expectancy

loss

Biodiversity and species loss

Ecosystem degradation and collapse

Climate disruption

Water stress and pollution

Land and soil degradation

Future population health impacts relate to:

Ecological

debt

“…public health professions today need to think and

act ecologically if they are to help reshape the

conditions that enable good health to flourish”

(Lang and Rayner, 2012, p20)(https://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e5466)

Biophilia

hypothesis

“….the innately emotional affiliation of human

beings to other living organisms.”

(Edward O. Wilson)

Biophilia hypothesis

“….biophilic design is meant to enhance human

health and well-being by fostering connections

between people and nature in the built

environment.”(Stephen Kellert)

Love, awe, respect of “all things living”

Ulrich (1984)

Connects people with nature

Plants and water

Natural light and ventilation

Natural materials, shape, form and patterns

Energy efficiency and renewable energy

Biophilic design in architecture

Photo: Toi Te Ora stock

Photo: Toi Te Ora stock

Photo: Toi Te Ora stock

Photo: Arousta, via Flickr, Creative Commons

Photo: Neil de Wet

Photo: Chris Barbalis on Unsplash

Photo: Neil de Wet

Photo: Neil de Wet

Photo: Neil de Wet

Photo: Neil de Wet

Photo: Neil de Wet

High tech modern hospital

Sanctuary of biodiversity

Nature nurtures health

Community farm

Community park

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital

Photo: Neil de Wet

Biophilic Cities

Photo: Neil de Wet

Photo: Neil de Wet

Photo: Neil de Wet

Photo: Neil de Wet

Photo: Neil de Wet

Photo: Neil de Wet

Photo: Frankemann, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Padraic via Flickr, Creative Commons

Photo: Neil de Wet

Photo: Kristina Hoeppner via Flickr, Creative Commons

Photo: Tony Wills, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Toi Te Ora stockPhoto: Toi Te Ora stock

Photo: Simon Everitt

Photo: Neil de Wet

Biophilic cities

“Biophilic Cities are cities that contain abundant nature; they

are cities that care about, seek to protect, restore and grow

this nature, and that strive to foster deep connections and

daily contact with the natural world.”

“Nature is not something optional, but absolutely essential to

living a happy, healthy and meaningful life.”

“In biophilic cities, residents care about nature and work on its

behalf locally and globally ”Tim Beatley, 2010

Biophilic cities

“Biophilic Cities are cities that contain abundant nature; they

are cities that care about, seek to protect, restore and grow

this nature, and that strive to foster deep connections and

daily contact with the natural world.”

“Nature is not something optional, but absolutely essential to

living a happy, healthy and meaningful life.”

“In biophilic cities, residents care about nature and work on its

behalf locally and globally ”Tim Beatley, 2010

Biophilic cities

“Biophilic Cities are cities that contain abundant nature; they

are cities that care about, seek to protect, restore and grow

this nature, and that strive to foster deep connections and

daily contact with the natural world.”

“Nature is not something optional, but absolutely essential to

living a happy, healthy and meaningful life.”

“In biophilic cities, residents care about nature and work on its

behalf locally and globally ”Tim Beatley, 2010

Lowering stress hormones

Lower blood pressure

Improved immunity

Less cardio-vascular disease

Increasing life expectancy

Nature and health

(Li and Bell, 2018; James et al, 2016)

Less crime

Enhances quality of social interaction

More happiness

Mental health benefits

Reduces effects of socio-economic

inequalities health

(Ulrich, 1984; Nieuwenhuis et al, 2014; Elzeyadi, 2011; Kuo et al,

1998; Kuo and Sullivan, 1998; Donovan and Prestemon, 2012; Holtan

et al, 2014; Mitchell et al, 2018)

Nature and health

Biophilic

public health

Biophilic public health

Love, awe, respect and celebration of nature

Nature is not something optional, but absolutely essential to

living a happy, healthy and meaningful life

Enhances human interaction with and experiences of nature

Benefits for the health and well-being of

People (directly and indirectly),

Other species and

Ecosystems

Multiple benefits and multiple interwoven scales

Image: University of

Texas

Health for All

We are here

Health for All

- Species habitat

- Biodiversity

- Climate change

- Physical activity

- Independence

- Wilderness

- Mental health

- Volunteering

- Community

- Cultural connection

Photo: Toi Te Ora stock

Source: www.eating-better.org (Creative Commons)

Food and nutrition

Source: www.eating-better.org (Creative Commons)

Biophilic food and nutrition

Local

Seasonal

Plant-based

Whole foods

Packaging

Wildlife

(pollinators)

Equity

Biophilic transportActive transport

Multi modal

Renewable electric

Permeability

Habitat creation

Ecological corridors

Social connection

Social space

Mental healthSource: Amanda Bergstrom (Toi Te Ora discussion paper)

Biophilic toolkit / resources

Biophilic principles

Benefits in terms of

productivity, absenteeism,

stress

Benefitting nature beyond

the workplace

Workplace wellness

Physical development

Social development

Cognitive development

School performance

Managing stressful events

Early education

Children and nature

building block

Early education

Photo: Toi Te Ora stock

Te Puna Taiao at Allandale

Photo: Te Puna Taiao at Allandale

Te Puna Taiao at Allandale

Photo: Te Puna Taiao at AllandalePhoto: Te Puna Taiao at Allandale

Te Puna Taiao at Allandale

Nature

Learning

Play

Social

Community

Cultural connectionPhoto: Te Puna Taiao at Allandale

www.toiteora.govt.nz/vdb

/document/1973

Biophilic Public Health:

Re-imagining Public

Health for the 21st

Century