title: Advancing Sustainability through Urban Green Space: Cultural Ecosystem Services, Equity, and Social Determinants of Health.
abstract: Urban green spaces provide an array of benefits, or ecosystem services, that support our physical, psychological, and social health. In many cases, however, these benefits are not equitably distributed across diverse urban populations. In this paper, we explore relationships between cultural ecosystem services provided by urban green space and the social determinants of health outlined in the United States Healthy People 2020 initiative. Specifically, we: (1) explore connections between cultural ecosystem services and social determinants of health; (2) examine cultural ecosystem services as nature-based health amenities to promote social equity; and (3) recommend areas for future research examining links between urban green space and public health within the context of environmental justice.
authors: Southern Research Station, Integrating Human and Natural Systems, USDA Forest Service, 320 Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA. vjennings02@fs.fed.us.
authors: Viniece
authors: V
authors: Jennings
authors: Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA. lrl@clemson.edu.
authors: Lincoln
authors: L
authors: Larson
authors: Department of Science, Technology and International Affairs, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA. jjy24@georgetown.edu.
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Yun
mesh_terms: D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D004779:Environment Design; D006801:Humans; D019368:Nature; D011634:Public Health; D064890:Social Determinants of Health; D012935:Social Justice; D014504:Urban Health
keywords: ecosystem services; green space; nature; parks; public health; urban health