Trend Watch February 2024

Children living near green spaces ‘have stronger bones’:

The link between stronger bones and green space for children is likely to be the result of more physical activities, Damian Carrington writes for The Guardian.

Carington says, “Scientists found that children living in places with 20-25% more natural areas had increased bone strength that was equivalent to half a year’s natural growth. The study, the first of its kind, also found that the risk of having very low bone density was about 65% lower for these children.”

The study took place in Belgium with Professor Tim Nawrot at Hasselt University.

Nawrot said, “So the real public health message from this study is that urban planners can make stronger bones of children, and that has long-lasting consequences.”

Carington adds, “The researchers said the results were important as low bone growth at a young age was as crucial to the onset of osteoporosis as bone loss through ageing.” Read the full article.

Photo: Alaric Sim on Unsplash.

How should organisations be held accountable for promoting environments that foster social connection?

Humans are social creatures and need connection for security and safety. The AMA Journal of Ethics reports that loneliness and social isolation exceed the health risk of obesity and is comparable to smoking. Written by a number of experts, the article asks whether organisations should be held accountable for promoting social connection.

The article outlines the ‘health risks of loneliness’ and addresses design processes that promote the building of social connection through community engagement.

The authors write: “Design interventions for physical environments—structures, spaces, and soundscapes, for example—can foster social connection, support and resilience.

“However, because social connection is often regarded as a natural outcome of most public space or infrastructure ‘improvement,’ few projects incorporate research-based design interventions, which are most effective when woven into the fabric of a community and inclusive of diverse community voices.

“Specifically, the presence of public and private community gathering places frequently called third places (eg, cafes, parks, plazas) can increase social connection, social capital and well-being by serving as “enabling places,” promoting recovery from hardships or providing material and social resources.” Read the full article.

Photo: Mieke Campbell on Unsplash.