- Physical inactivity is the fourth largest cause of mortality in England, accounting for 37,000 premature deaths a year.
- Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce the impact of a number of diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.[1]
- 35 per cent of those from lower socio-economic backgrounds visit green spaces less than once a month and this is linked to a lack of green space in poorer areas.[2]
- People living within 300 metres of green space in London reported high levels of life satisfaction, self-worth and happiness.[3]
- 20 per cent of London is made up of publicly accessible parks[4], and 47% of the city's land overall is classed as green space.[5] But London has the lowest levels of green space availability in all of the UK.[6]
Green spaces can help people to lead active lifestyles in an urban setting, where access to the open countryside is limited.
Green spaces provide places and opportunities for relaxation, exercise, play, access to nature, pleasant views, cleaner air, reduced heatwave effects, social and community activities and a host of other quality of life benefits. The proximity and quality of green space is key to whether green spaces are used and how beneficial they are to the community.
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Health Committee will discuss the impact of publicly accessible green spaces on the health and wellbeing of Londoners.
The guests are:
- Dr Tom Coffey, Mayoral Health Adviser, Greater London Authority (GLA)
- Neil Sinden, London Director, Campaign to Protect Rural England
- Helen Griffiths, Chief Executive, Fields in Trust
- Stefania Horne, Head of Parks and Sport, London Borough of Hounslow
- Peter Massini, Principal Policy Officer, GLA
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 6 November 2019 at 10:00am in The Chamber, City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE via webcast or YouTube
Follow us @LondonAssembly and take part in the meeting discussion using #AssemblyHealth and #GreenSpaces
Notes to editors
- Association between urban green space and the risk of cardiovascular disease, Seo et al, 2019
- The Marmot review final report: Fair society, healthy lives, Michael Marmot, 2010
- A spatial analysis of proximate green space and mental wellbeing in London, Houlden et al 2019
- Natural Capital Accounts for Public Green Space in London, October 2017
- Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC, Key London Figures
- Green Space Index, Fields in Trust, 2019
- Full agenda papers
- Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Chair of the Health Committee is available for interview. See contact details below.
- London Assembly Health Committee
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7084 2713. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.