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Issue Addressed: Health promotion has adopted the planetary health perspective to address the threats posed by climate change, environmental degradation and environmental deprivation. Nature is a setting for health promotion that can produce co-benefits for human health and the protection of the environment. This paper presents the findings of a New South Wales (NSW) study of peoples' motivations for, and co-benefits of, environmental volunteering., Methods: This paper combines the findings of a literature review and qualitative data from a larger mixed-methods study of environmental volunteering (eg administration and co-ordination, bush regeneration, advocacy, tour guiding) in NSW. A review of international literature from 2005 yielded 100 documents for analysis. Maximum variation and stratified purposeful sampling strategies were applied to engage 12 environmental volunteers and 30 employees of environmental organisations in a series of focus groups (n = 2) and interviews (n = 22). Qualitative thematic analysis techniques were applied and data triangulated., Results: Motivations for environmental volunteering include the following: personal, for example, new skills or knowledge, environmental, for example, improve the environment and social/community, for example, forming connections. Environmental volunteering offers a range of benefits for individuals, environmental organisations and the natural environment. These include enhanced mental and social health, and connection to place and learning about the environment., Conclusions: Environmental volunteering has the potential to address key determinants of health - social inclusion, employment and education. From a planetary health perspective, there are multiple co-benefits of human-environmental interaction arising from environmental volunteering. Environmental volunteering is a planetary health strategy that could be incorporated into community-based health promotion. SO WHAT?: Health promotion has a mandate to act on ecological determinants of health. Environmental volunteering is an untapped resource for community-based health promotion and for achieving planetary health goals., (© 2021 Australian Health Promotion Association.)

Issue Addressed: Public health concerns about insufficient consumption of vegetables across all demographics in Australia have led to 20 years of behaviour change interventions ranging from social marketing to interactive small group programs, with modest results. To maximise health promotion intervention outcomes, practitioners need up-to-date information that helps them navigate the complexity of food systems and eating behaviours., Methods: This scoping review of Australian and international research, including peer-reviewed and grey literature, provides a picture of health promotion nutrition interventions, as well as other initiatives that may promote increased vegetable consumption. Search terms related to nutrition and vegetable consumption, type of intervention or initiative, for example, campaign; and consumer values and behaviour. A wide range of data sources were used including scholarly papers, market research reports and publicly available websites of community organisations (eg, OOOOBY). A broad food systems typology was developed to provide a framework for the review., Results: The review finds an emerging group of community-driven initiatives within local food systems that appear to have positive impacts on vegetable consumption. These initiatives sit within a multi-faceted approach to health and well-being that is consistent with the tenets of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, including community engagement, social justice and sustainability goals., Conclusions: More research into the impact of these new frontiers is needed, but our preliminary findings point to the potential for health promotion practitioners to collaborate on local/community food system initiatives that are not motivated primarily by health goals, but have the potential to deliver multiple health and environmental outcomes. SO WHAT?: This review demonstrated community-driven initiatives around local food systems show the most promise in promoting vegetable consumption and addressing the determinants of health. Health promotion efforts to encourage food security and healthy eating could be strengthened through collaborations within these new frontiers., (© 2018 Australian Health Promotion Association.)

It is estimated that half of the world's population now live in urban environments. Urban living necessitates a removal from nature, yet evidence indicates that contact with nature is beneficial for human health. In fact, everyday urban places, such as where people live, study, and work, provide opportunities to bring nature back into cities to contribute to positive, healthy environments for people and to foster the human-nature connection. The inclusion of more nature in cities could have additional environmental benefits, such as habitat provision and improving the environmental performance of built environments. In the context of climate change, outcomes such as these assume further importance. This article explores how common urban places can foster links between people and nature, and generate positive health and well-being outcomes. We achieve this by exploring nature in the everyday settings of schools and residential housing.

With levels of stress and anxiety rising among the university community, universities worldwide are implementing animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) on campus. However, to date, little is known about how to implement these initiatives. Questions also remain as to the impact of evaluated AAIs on health and wellbeing. Therefore, this study sought to review the implementation and effectiveness of previous AAIs in university settings. Electronic databases ProQuest Central, Gale and 16 databases within EBSCOHost were searched with key words, such as AAI, and university or college students for relevant articles. Inclusion criteria included primary research studies that measured a health, wellbeing or behavioural outcome. A total of 47 articles met inclusion criteria, including 24 RCTs. There was limited reporting on the implementation of AAIs in the higher education setting. A total of 11 different mental health and behavioural outcomes have been summarized, with stress, anxiety and mood providing favourable results. An AAI on campus may provide a form of stress and anxiety relief for the university community. Other mental health and behavioural outcomes require further research to determine their effectiveness. These findings highlight that an AAI on campus could potentially provide a form of stress and anxiety relief, and could be a strategy for addressing rising levels of psychological stress and mental health issues among university students and staff in Australia and internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social prescriptions are one term commonly used to describe nonpharmaceutical approaches to healthcare and are gaining popularity in the community, with evidence highlighting psychological benefits of reduced anxiety, depression and improved mood and physiological benefits of reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and reduced hypertension. The relationship between human health benefits and planetary health benefits is also noted. There are, however, numerous barriers, such as duration and frequencies to participate in activities, access, suitability, volition and a range of unpredictable variables (such as inclement weather, shifting interests and relocating home amongst others) impeding a comprehensive approach to their use on a wider scale. From a multidisciplinary perspective, this commentary incorporates a salutogenic and nature-based approach to health, we also provide a range of recommendations that can be undertaken at the patient level to assist in shifting the acknowledged systemic barriers currently occurring. These include using simple language to explain the purpose of health empowerment scripts, ensuing personal commitment to a minimum timeframe, enabling ease of access, co-designing a script program, providing ongoing motivational support and incorporating mindfulness to counter unexpected disruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue addressed: Internationally, universities have recognised the benefits of Pet Support Programs (PSPs). However, existing literature has predominately focused on quantitatively measuring health outcomes associated with a PSP amongst student populations. This research aimed to explore the feasibility of a PSP within an Australian university, as there is a need to explore practical considerations involved in implementation. Methods: This research used a qualitative descriptive approach. Participants were recruited via purposive snowball sampling. The sample included 17 participants across eight administrative divisions within an Australian university. Semi‐structured individual interviews were used to collect data. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged from the data: Organisational Change, Program Management and Perceived Outcomes. Findings suggest several considerations from both an organisational and program level that need to be addressed prior to implementation, including the university's policies, the location and animal welfare. The main perceived outcomes were stress relief and social support. Ways to minimise risks to those who may have an aversion towards animals were also discussed. Conclusions: Participants believed implementing a PSP would be feasible in the university setting, provided all aforementioned considerations were adequately addressed. Considerations identified have the potential to act as a barrier or a facilitator depending on how they are managed. So what?: Where feasible and later implemented, a PSP could provide Australian university students and staff with an alternative means of improving mental health, providing stress relief and contributing towards the Health Promoting University framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review describes the facilitators and barriers impacting on passive access to green spaces within healthcare settings. A systematic mixed-studies review was undertaken to review the quantitative and qualitative evidence on access to green spaces within healthcare settings, as well as to review the methodological quality of the studies eligible for inclusion. A total of 24 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The barriers to access were grouped into three themes: "awareness," "accessibility," and "comfort." The facilitators were grouped into 13 themes: "flora and foliage," "views," "water features," "sun, rain, fresh air, wind," "animal life," "diverse textures, heights, shapes," "lawn," "natural versus artificial material," "rest areas," "shade," "private areas," "play equipment," and "safety." These findings can be explained through multiple lenses, using existing theories on contact with nature and supportive garden design. In an era of elevated stress, patient admissions, and staff turnover in hospitals, and rising costs of providing healthcare services, the creation of settings conducive to health promotion, stress reduction, and faster recovery is relevant and timely. This article, which has collated over three decades of research evidence, is invaluable in addressing this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]