The World Health Organisation defines healthy cities as places that deliver for people and the planet, and at Bupa we’re on a mission to create and maintain healthier cities across the world. But what is a healthy city, and does it really impact our health? Read on to learn the answers.

The hallmarks of a healthy city
A healthy city has good air quality and energy efficient buildings. There are accessible green spaces like parks and blue spaces like lakes and rivers. The way the city is designed encourages recreation and social interaction through elements like picnic tables, bike paths, and public gym equipment. Public transport is reliable and user friendly. Rubbish is managed in an eco-friendly manner and bins are easily located. Noise pollution is kept to a minimum and clean energy is readily available to power dwellings. Residents enjoy access to wide integrated pedestrian and bike paths to support exercise and movement. Sounds great, doesn’t it.

How is a healthy city better for us?
For people to be mentally and physically healthy we need to live near green spaces with clean air.  Trees have been found to boost our social wellbeing, which is a strong predictor of positive health outcomes. Studies have shown that exposure to trees increases goodwill and kindness, and even reduces crime rates!

We need to spend time in thriving green spaces because it can reduce the risk of conditions and diseases such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stress.

What effect does an unhealthy city have on health?
The World Health Organisation says that diseases like heart disease, asthma, cancer and diabetes are made worse by unhealthy living and working conditions, inadequate green space, pollution and a lack of space for walking, cycling and active living. 

Research has shown that if no action is taken, by 2050, over 1.6 billion residents in 970 cities will face extreme heat, 800 million residents in 570 cities will be at risk from flooding as a result of sea-level rises and 650 million people in 500 cities will experience increased freshwater insecurity.

How to create a healthy city?
It’s projected that 70% of the world’s population will live in cities within the next few decades. Urban redesign – including renewable energy use, building retrofitting, public transport planning, increased focus on sport and recreation facilities – has the power to provide health benefits for billions of people.

You can help too. Consider joining Bupa’s Healthy Cities Challenge which funds nature regeneration programs. Look for local nature activities like tree planting and clean up events around your neighbourhood. Follow the recycling and rubbish management plan for your local council. And, don’t forget to get out and enjoy the parks and sports facilities so they’re recognised as important.

This article contains information from the Healthy and Resilient Cities – briefing paper (bupa.com) which can be read for more detail.

It’s no surprise that trees are critical for a healthy planet. But did you know they’re also essential for a healthy you? Here are five systems in your body that may benefit from more trees.  

Your lungs
Trees help to reduce air pollution. They filter particulate matter from the air, and absorb gases like nitrous oxide through pores in their leaves. Nitrous oxide is a gas that is emitted by cars, trucks and other vehicles, and it’s estimated to cause four million new cases of childhood asthma each year.  

Your heart
We don’t exactly know why, but exposure to green space (including trees) decreases the risk of experiencing or dying from a heart attack or stroke.  Scientists have also noticed that trees help to moderate temperature. This is yet another way that trees counteract the effects of climate change, and amazingly, it could also help your heart.  

Your immune system
Immersing yourself in nature is good for you, and the Japanese even have a term for it: Shinrin-yoki, or ‘forest bathing’. Being in forests helps to decrease harmful immune responses, like inflammation, allergies and asthma. At the same time, chemical compounds released by trees can increase helpful immune activity, and may even prompt our immune systems to destroy tumour cells.   

Your medicines
Trees themselves are an important source of medicines. Aspirin, for example, originally came from trees, and the malaria medication quinine was derived from a tree species which is now endangered. Some experts estimate that one important drug is lost every year from biodiversity loss, loss that could have been avoided by preserving indigenous trees.     

Your brain
There’s a reason we gravitate towards green spaces. Being around trees and nature improves our mental wellbeing. One study found that trees in urban environments reduced the need for antidepressant medications. Other studies have found that spending time among trees decreases stress hormone levels, and even improves concentration in children with attention deficit disorder.    

Planting trees establishes a life-giving legacy for generations to come. That’s why Bupa is nurturing the trees of tomorrow through its Healthy Cities program.

Resource links
How many trees does it take to produce oxygen for one person? – BBC Science Focus Magazine
Nature Exposure and Its Effects on Immune System Functioning: A Systematic Review – PMC (nih.gov)
Green space and cardiovascular disease: A systematic review with meta-analysis – ScienceDirect

We all want to help reduce the impacts of climate change, because we’re seeing the way the world around us is changing. But it can be hard to know where to start to make a difference. Here are six simple changes you can make that will help to reduce your environmental footprint.

When you take the train instead of driving, you’re helping to prevent childhood asthma
Little lungs need clean air. Each year, around four million children are diagnosed with asthma that may be linked to nitrous oxide air pollution. Emissions by cars, trucks and other vehicles are one of the reasons that there is too much nitrous oxide in our atmosphere. By choosing public transport, walking or cycling, you’re making a difference to the air we breathe. 

You have the power
Nearly three in five infectious diseases could get worse because of climate change. Fossil fuels are the main driver of climate change. A healthy planet means healthier people, so when our customers, patients, residents and people visit any Bupa APAC clinic, retail store, corporate office, or aged care home, they are visiting a site that is powered by 100% renewable electricity. Make the switch today because every household or business decision has an impact.

Get back more than you give! Try conservation volunteering
Volunteering with a conservation group is great for the planet, but did you know it’s also great for you? Research shows that volunteering can help improve self-esteem, wellbeing, and even relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Spending time in nature has a host of physical and mental benefits, making volunteering the gift that keeps on giving.  

Declare war on food waste 
The average Aussie wastes more than 300kg of food each year. That means, for every bag of groceries you buy, you’re throwing away one of those bags of food. Apart from being a waste of money and resources, food waste is responsible for around 3% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. That impacts weather changes resulting in more bushfires and flood emergencies. You can slash your food waste by shopping regularly, planning your meals and buying long life items. Why not try growing some of your own fruit and veg.  

A double shot of sustainability 
If we lined up all of the disposable coffee cups used in Australia each year, they would reach around the world – TWICE. The plastic liner in disposable coffee cups breaks down into tiny plastic particles called microplastics. Emerging research suggests microplastics could be impacting human reproduction and development, and they’re devastating to our wildlife. Switching to reusable or even edible coffee cups may just be the shot of sustainability this planet needs.  

Digitise and save the world from harmful plastics 
Why not save room in your wallet and do your part in saving harmful plastic from landfill by digitising your bank, health insurance and other cards where possible.