Green Space Is Golden
The survey primarily looked at national parks to quantify green space, as it may indicate greater access to outdoor activities. Washington, D.C., Alaska, Hawaii, California, and Florida have the highest percentage of land dedicated to national parks. But four states—Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Oklahoma—have no national park.
In 2020, CDC researchers emphasized the importance of maintaining parks and open green spaces during the pandemic because of their connection to physical and mental well-being. Read also : The Department of Health is launching a Monkeypox Vaccine Clinic for people who may have been exposed to monkeypox.
But in the United States, green space can take many forms. States and cities without national parks may still have state parks, as well as local playgrounds, trails, or bike paths that can benefit fitness and health.
In New York City, for example, urban forests, parks, and public lawns make up more than 20,000 acres of green space.
“City bikes, rental bikes, or scooters in cities are giving people access to other parts of nature that are not just national parks,” said Scott C. Ratzan, MD, distinguished lecturer in communication at the health at the CUNY Graduate School of Public. Health & Health Policy.
Search Interest in Healthy Diets and Practices
The survey found that people in high-scoring states were more likely to Google integrative health practices, while residents in lower-scoring states searched more often for answers to questions about communicable diseases. avoided.
For example, Arizona, New York, and Colorado had the highest search volumes for the term “healthy diet. On the same subject : To launch a mental health program for firefighters to boost fire spending – Oregon Capital Chronicle.” Meanwhile, states like Vermont and Massachusetts have high search interests in “meditation” and “yoga”.
However, the researchers couldn’t determine whether people’s online activities matched how they physically cared, according to Smith.
Smith, who grew up in Texas, said the diets may explain why some parts of the southern states have the highest rates of diabetes and obesity in the country. “Sugar and fat and salt—that’s like carrots to us,” he said.
However, it is important not to stigmatize people based on their culture or geographic location, Ratzan added. “We have to be careful not to say ‘this is the least healthy state’ because of how much sugar is consumed,” he said.
Environmental and social factors, such as access to fresh produce and nutrition education, can also affect overall diet quality.
But people don’t necessarily need to move states to live a healthy life, Smith said. But they may need to be more creative when it comes to taking care of their well-being. Exercising outside, practicing yoga, or prioritizing a nutritious diet can help improve your lifestyle even if the state you live in has a lower wellness score, he added.
“Individuals still have the power to improve their health,” Smith said.
What This Means For You
Proximity to parks, fresh food markets, and quality health care can affect health and well-being. Some states may foster more access to these resources than others, but that doesn’t mean people need to walk to live a healthy life.
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