Health Benefits of Nature

Dear Colleagues,

Over recent years, there has been a growing acknowledgement of the importance of nature and the natural environment as a determinant of human health and wellbeing. While the World Health Organization attributes more than 25% of the world’s disease burden to environmental factors, this figure really only refers to the impacts of environmental degradation – pollution, resource depletion, loss of species diversity, climate change and the like. In fact, in developed societies, the issue of environmental deprivation is at least as important as environmental degradation. Research has shown that separation from nature is implicated in declining physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing. This issue will highlight research evidence to confirm such links, as well as strategies which have been, are being or could be applied to address the problems associated with nature deprivation and/or to capitalise on human links with nature. Research papers, analytical reviews, case studies, reflections on practice (clinical or non-clinical), policy analysis and frameworks for action are solicited.

Dr. Mardie Townsend
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.