FRISK I NATUREN A Nordic project about nature and health Coordinator; Lisa Bergström Friluftslivets fellesorganisasjon, Norge /Sverige www.friskinaturen.org lisa@frifo.no + 46 (0) 70 268 80 10
Professors Welcome to all of you! Hälsans naturs Researchers NGO s Politicians Advisers Exercise Physiologist Universities Communities Planners/ Landscape architect Physicians Public health workers General sekretares Executive direktors Educators Autorities both on the Health and environment side Europarc Outdoor Recreation Boards Garden Therapist Economist
The main reason why we started up this project is the lack of outdoor recreation within the public health area. PS See Healthy park Healthy people s website as well (www.hphp.com)
We saw 4 focus areas Outdoor Education Prevention (Physical activity on prescription-preventive and therapeutic health care) Green spaces Mental Health
Organisation of Frisk i naturen Knowledge Partners, Key persons Reference group FRIFO funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers
Three important partners in the reference group 0% Natur/miljö sektorn 33% Hälsosektorn 34% Friluftlivs org. 33%
5 goals in sight... 1. Developing and promoting the Nordic outdoor policies with a clear public health profile 2. Establish good relations between the three sectors in each country and with relevant committees of the Nordic Council of Ministers. 3. Communicate best practice 4. Communicating relevant research and documentation - understandable. 5. Contributing to reduce social inequalities in health - low thresholds.
Target group 1. Politicians /decision makers 2. All the partners in the reference group - The Nordic Council of Ministers - Landscape Architects, Teachers (school), Physicians (FaR), Public health workers and finally The public
Urban green spaces becomes more important 75-80% of us live in or near a city Proximity, accessibility and design has big impact on us, if we visit a green area or not. Frisk i naturen s approach to outdoor recreation; being outdoors in a nature setting, focusing on urban areas and its surroundings, for welfare and health, with or without physical activity, but without motorized vehicles
Why are you here? Hopefully to learn same To teach same To get new contacts To build bridges over nations and professions How can we highlight natures effect on public health?
Why outside? An activity which is life-long Free of charge Blood pressure drops in nature Nature gives simulation to the brain Nature in itself reduces stress Nature provides increased concentration Nature provides more vitamin D Nature makes you more physical active Prevents dementia etc "Nature has a significant impact on mental health. A person in crisis needs to return to simpler relations. Contact with the natural triggers creative processes." (Harold Searles)
www.friskinaturen.org
Other projects within the Nordic council of ministers are Friluftsliv og psykisk helse (TEG) Utevistelsens betydelse för hälsa, friskvård och rehabilitering (MJS) Miljö och hälsa för barn i nordiska förskolor http://www.norden.org/sv/publikationer/publikationer/2008-715 COPE Children, Outdoor, Participation, Environment http://www.norden.org/sv/publikationer/publikationer/2007-586