New 'Natural Health Service' focused on green spaces will involve a major expansion in health walks

Natural England is to launch a ‘Natural Health Service’ focused on health benefits of green spaces. This will involves a major expansion in health walks, as new research reinforces the evidence of a link between lack of access to open spaces and obesity.

The Walking the Way to Health website will help every GP or community nurse is able to refer patients to an approved health walk or outdoor activity.

In the face of projections suggesting that nine out of 10 adults could be overweight or obese by 2050, Natural England's Natural Health Service will calls for a step-change in the way that people are given access to green spaces and the ways in which outdoor activity programmes are supported by GPs.

Dr Helen Phillips, Natural England’s Chief Executive, said: 'For decades, green spaces have been left out of the equation of urban planning and healthcare provision and we are living with the consequences in the form of rising levels of obesity and related diseases. Being out, about and active is not a luxury but needs to be a fundamental part of how we live. Prioritising the development of easily accessible green spaces and making outdoor activity a core part of health programmes could transform our nation’s health and save billions in expenditure on public healthcare.'

Dr Helen Phillips also announced the findings of the latest research from the Universities of Bristol and East Anglia which shows that - even after taking account of socioeconomic variations - people living more than 11/4 miles away from a park were less likely to be physically active and 27% more likely to be overweight or obese. The findings reinforce earlier research conducted by Glasgow and St Andrew’s Universities, which found that people who live near to green spaces live longer.

Poul Christensen, Acting Chair of Natural England, continued: 'The evidence is becoming increasingly clear that the postcode lottery of access to green space is an important driver behind the differing patterns of the nation’s health. The Natural Health Service programme highlights that providing easy access to green space is one of the most important and cost effective health initiatives we can make.'

Accompanying the Manifesto launch, the Department of Health joined Natural England in announcing an expansion of Natural England’s Walking the Way to Health programme. Health Walks already form an important part of Natural England’s health and access activities, with over 2,000 walks taking place every week and more than 37,000 volunteer walk leaders trained so far. Natural England is looking to enable around 200,000 more people to take part in the ‘Walking the Way to Health” initiative and Natural England is hoping to quadruple the number of people walking regularly for their health by the 2012 Olympics.

Public Health Minister, Gillian Merron, said: 'Walking is a great way to get physically active - it's fun, it's free and it's accessible to young and old alike, all across the country. I'm thrilled that Natural England's Walking for Health scheme will be working with the Government's Change4Life campaign to expand the scheme and get more people walking, more often.'