For the first time, Victorian health professionals met to discuss how they can harness the health benefits of nature to improve our health.
The inaugural Nature is Good Medicine Summit – led by Parks Victoria - focused on ideas for nature-based health care, prevention focussed initiatives and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration. More than 100 senior decision makers from government, not-for-profit, medical, academic and corporate sectors generated ideas and proposals to be turned into reality.
Working groups established on the day developed the ideas into proposals, which Parks Victoria and partners will further explore over the coming months to advance opportunities for action in the health and nature sector.
A growing body of research shows that nature-based programs can contribute to improving the social and economic burden of obesity, mental health, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, back pain and musculoskeletal conditions. The importance of interacting with nature in Victoria’s parks and open spaces is reflected in Victoria’s Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2015-2019 as a priority setting for healthier eating and active living.
As part of its commitment to harnessing the power of parks to improve Victorians’ health, Parks Victoria announced at the Summit that it would introduce Australia’s first ‘health rangers’ in Melbourne parks, initially three roles as a pilot program.
These roles will support people to explore new opportunities to improve their health by delivering activities and working with health service providers, volunteers and other groups to implement more nature-based health programs. This will complement existing programs run by Parks Victoria that support people to use Victoria’s parks and waterways for health, such as Welcome Walks - free guided walks facilitated by volunteers or rangers that support people to start walking.
Parks Victoria’s network of parks and waterways provide nature-based settings suitable for all ages.
Do you or your organisation have a good idea for partnering with Parks Victoria to deliver activities in parks that will improve people’s health? Get in touch now on 13 1963 or email healthy communities.
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