Park Rx: Prescribing Nature for Better Health
- T. Harrod
- Sep 14, 2018
- 2 min read
Park Rx is a new program whose mission is to take advantage of parks and centers in the community to combat obesity, mental health disorders, and diabetes.
Instead of prescribing hundreds of medications to treat chronic illnesses like hypertension and diabetes, over 300 healthcare providers in the National Capital region are prescribing patients physical activity at nearby parks to prevent and treat chronic disease while promoting wellness.
This is how it works: After a physician or clinician identifies a patient who could benefit from a Park Rx, the patient and provider decide on a scheduled activity routine and an appropriate park. Next, the clinician sends the "nature prescription" to the patient's mobile device. A unique code is generated and added to the patient's electronic medical record. When the patient goes to the park, he or she checks in on his or her mobile device to inform the clinician that the prescription has been filled.
A representative from the Park Rx program, Katrina Williams, endorses the fact that nature and green spaces have been shown to be associated with higher levels of physical activity, lowered levels of stress hormones, lowered blood pressure, and improved mental health. Though the program is still relatively new, one facility has trained various clinicians --including nurses, physical therapists, and dietitians, on how to utilize the Park Rx software to prescribe appropriate physical activity to eligible patients.
If you are new to participating in physical activity, Park Rx may be a great option to consider to prevent or manage many diseases. However, always be sure to check with your doctor about exercise before you begin.
Want to read more about how nature can boost your health? Here's where:
