In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Jay Maddock about his research on the scientific link between nature and mental health benefits. The focus is on one of his recently published studies that analyzed the link between communities' "Nature Score" and anxiety, stress and depression. He explains what a "Nature Score" is, how they did the study and the results. He describes other research showing that exposure to nature is beneficial for PTSD and ADHD and explains theories for why nature is linked to mental health benefits and lack of nature may be detrimental. Finally, he discusses ongoing research in this area and implications for public health practices.
Dr. Maddock is a researcher and regents professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at Texas A&M University. He is director of the Center for Health and Nature, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Healthy Eating and Active Living and Chair of the Nature and Health Alliance.
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