24 THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF PARKS AND THEIR ECONOMIC IMPACTS Considerations for a Health Equity Framework The field of park and green space equity has been growing as the value of these critical civic assets, and the importance of access to them, is more widely recognized. Capturing their value through quantitative and qualitative measures can help demonstrate and translate their benefits in ways that resonate with local communities and individuals. Assessing the contribution of parks to different dimensions of health can be complex and will require an intentional and comprehensive health equity framework for the variety of benefits derived from parks and green space. There are several key implications in approaching this framework and opportunities for consideration. The Literature Is Strongest for Quantifying Physical, Mental, and Environmental Health Outcomes in Parks By far, the areas with the most substantial literature base are that park space is associated with an increase in physical activity, that interactions with green space have a wealth of mental health benefits, and that green spaces are associated with many positive environmental health outcomes. In these areas there is a wealth of existing literature to pull from, and that literature is conclusive. However, research is ongoing and developing about the mechanisms that underlie these connections that may affect the framework. For instance, several studies suggest that density of park space is strongly associated with higher rates of physical activity, but other studies indicate that the proximity of the nearest park space is also associated with physical activity. Studies on the impact of the natural environment on mood suggest a connection for adults, but evidence is inconclusive that this impact holds for youth. The framework will need to consider the various mechanisms that drive these impact areas. Confirming the Actual Relationship between Parks and Outcomes Is Challenging A key framework goal is to identify and quantify the actual impact of parks on health equity. In some cases, there are direct links between parks, park access, and proximity of green space and health
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