Health

Summarising the evidence on place value and health outcomes

The evidence on the importance of place quality for health outcomes is overwhelming. Better place quality delivers:

• Better physical health: lower obesity, less type two diabetes, lower blood pressure, reduced heart disease, lower rates of asthma and respiratory disease, faster recovery from illness, and from fatigue
• Better mental health: less stress and more psychological restfulness, reduced depression, anxiety and anger, reduced psychosis
• Better general fitness: increased walking (for both travel and recreation), increased exercise, sport and recreation, and more cycling
• Greater daily comfort: reduced air pollution, heat stress, traffic noise, and poor sanitation and, reduced exposure of lower socio-economic groups to the effects of debilitating neighbourhoods
• Enhanced quality of life: increased sense of emotional well-being and satisfaction, greater happiness, reduced fear, and higher energy levels.