UC doctors add walk in the park to medicine cabinet
Program featured in Cincinnati Enquirer has providers writing prescriptions to get patients outside
Cincinnati Parks for Wellness is a program that's new to the area. It draws on decades of research showing that spending time in nature lowers a person's blood pressure and anxiety, while boosting the immune system and self-esteem. It's known as ParkRx nationally.
“The science behind nature and health is so strong," said Sian Cotton, PhD, director of the University of Cincinnati's Osher Center for Integrative Health and a professor of family and community medicine in the College of Medicine. The Osher Center partnered with the Cincinnati Parks Foundation to launch the program, which began earlier in August. It was recently featured in the Cincinnati Enquirer.
“Our goal at the end of the day is to encourage people to be in the parks, be in nature, to spend time there, and want to do it again," said Cotton.
Featured image at top of Gazebo at Eden Park. Photo credit/©nat693 (stock.adobe.com).
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