Public Health Wales' biodiversity action plan highlights importance of green spaces in reducing health inequalities

Public Health Wales has published its second biodiversity action plan which outlines the work that it will undertake as part of its duty under the Environment Act.  The plan is focused on the importance of biodiversity for health and well-being and the actions Public Health Wales will take to be a champion for nature.

The plan says that people in Wales do not have equal access to nature and green spaces and that those in the most disadvantaged areas have least access.  Several studies have highlighted the connection between access to green spaces and pregnancy outcomes and worse health for people from the most disadvantaged areas.   

Ensuring that people in disadvantaged areas have greater access to green spaces may be an overlooked resource for addressing health inequities, with research showing that just a 10 per cent increase in exposure to green spaces in urban settings can reduce health problems and improve well-being. 

Through its programmes and partnerships, Public Health Wales is working to enhance access to green spaces, as well as promoting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience by reducing our carbon emissions, waste and impact on the environment.  

Sumina Azam, National Director of Policy and International Health for Public Health Wales, said:

“There is a wealth of evidence to demonstrate that increasing access to green spaces has a positive impact on the health and well-being of everyone in the community.  Public Health Wales’s latest biodiversity action plan looks at how we can expand access to green spaces to help reduce health inequalities and support a nature-rich future for Wales.” 

The report can be found here:

Championing Nature for a Healthy Future – Public Health Wales’ Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2027