Health and wellbeing

Scotland's biodiversity has a key role to play in improving the health and well-being of the nation. Access to the countryside and green spaces in our towns and cities make a big difference to our quality of life.  Mounting Evidence links regular outdoor exercise and contact with nature to a range of benefits for physical and mental health and addressing social inequality. 

Evidence linking biodiversity and health

Scottish Natural Heritage has produced a review of the evidence for links between health and the natural heritage.

Professor Jules Pretty's research team at Exeter University has pioneered research on the links between health and outdoor activities in the UK.  The Green Exercise website  gives an overview of the team's main research findings on:

• green exercise - activity in the great outdoors
• green care - the theraputic benefits of contact with nature.

The COHAB Initiative  (Co-Operation On Health And Biodiversity) is an international programme of work on human well-being and sustainable development .

What are we doing in Scotland?

Find out what we are doing in Scotland to promote the benefits of outdoor activity and encourage more people to enjoy the outdoors in the 'What are we doing in Scotland?' section of this website.