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Benefits of the environment to health
Publication
Release Date:
Topic: Environment & health
Citation
AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) (2022) Benefits of the environment to health, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 14 June 2026.
PDF | 1.6MB
This report is a literature review of health benefits derived from 3 ecosystem services: air filtration, local climate regulation, and recreation.
Ecosystem services are the benefits that society obtains from ecosystems, such as food, clean water and air. This review investigates the health benefits provided by 3 ecosystem services: air filtration, local climate regulation, and recreation. The review found ecosystem services provide many benefits to human health including respiratory, cardiovascular and mental health benefits.
- ISBN: 978-1-922802-08-8
- Cat. no: PHE 311
- Pages: 142
Findings from this report:
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Air filtration from vegetation can provide economic benefits through avoided incidences of disease and health care costs
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Recreation in nature provides physical activity opportunities, and can lead to both better physical and mental health
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Nature provides health benefits by filtering harmful air pollution
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A key benefit of local climate regulation is lower mortality from any cause. Evidence for other benefits was mixed