What is the Accelerator?
Brushwood Center’s Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator aims to activate healthcare investment in nature-based solutions and drive collaboration among community, governmental, environmental, and healthcare sectors in Lake County and the larger Chicago region. The Accelerator was born in response to growing community demand and momentum for systemic changes to address racial and ethnic inequities at the intersection of health, climate, and nature. Building on Brushwood Center’s decades of on-the-ground community engagement experience in Lake County, the Accelerator also responds directly to the lessons Brushwood Center took from our pandemic-response work.
Background on the Health, Justice, and Nature MovementThe connection between access to nature and improved human health has now been acknowledged for decades. The American Public Health Association states that “Public health officials, physicians, nurse practitioners, and other health professionals should advise patients and the public at large about the benefits of green exercise, personal and community gardening, and nature-based play and recreation” (American Public Health Association, 2013).
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Research confirms that access to and utilization of green space improve both mental and physical health (Frumkin et al., 2017) and, in the face of a rapidly changing climate, ecosystems protect many communities from more severe impacts of natural disasters and extreme weather events (Patz et al., 2014). In metropolitan areas like the Chicago region, low-income individuals and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities are disproportionately impacted by both environmental injustices (Geertsma, 2018) and adverse health outcomes (Novara et al, 2018).
Yet, despite more than 90% of Americans understanding the connection between nature and wellness (Kellert et al., 2017) and the unprecedented use of natural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic (Grima et al., 2020), the conservation and healthcare sectors continue to lag in their ability to collaborate effectively.
This lag is driven by a lack of investment to support effective and equitable collaboration. The conservation and environmental sectors have attempted to strengthen ties with healthcare, but the focus on individual organizations and initiatives instead of cross-sector collaboration has hindered systemic change. Additionally, when investment in nature-based solutions occurs, it has historically been implemented without adequate community engagement or consideration of gentrification and cultural needs (Cole et al., 2017).
However, the economic case for collaboration is strong. A 2019 research project conducted by ecologists, psychologists, and economists valued the mental health benefits alone of protected natural areas across the globe at $6 trillion (Buckley et al., 2019). This is significant, particularly when juxtaposed with the comparatively small estimated financial flows into global biodiversity conservation of $124-$143 billion (Paulson Institute, n.d.). In contrast, healthcare costs in the United States alone comprise $3.8 trillion and 17.7% of our GDP (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2020). Incentivizing collaboration between healthcare and conservation organizations has the potential to improve people’s health, address systemic disparities, drive biodiversity support, and decrease hospitalization costs.
Yet, despite more than 90% of Americans understanding the connection between nature and wellness (Kellert et al., 2017) and the unprecedented use of natural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic (Grima et al., 2020), the conservation and healthcare sectors continue to lag in their ability to collaborate effectively.
This lag is driven by a lack of investment to support effective and equitable collaboration. The conservation and environmental sectors have attempted to strengthen ties with healthcare, but the focus on individual organizations and initiatives instead of cross-sector collaboration has hindered systemic change. Additionally, when investment in nature-based solutions occurs, it has historically been implemented without adequate community engagement or consideration of gentrification and cultural needs (Cole et al., 2017).
However, the economic case for collaboration is strong. A 2019 research project conducted by ecologists, psychologists, and economists valued the mental health benefits alone of protected natural areas across the globe at $6 trillion (Buckley et al., 2019). This is significant, particularly when juxtaposed with the comparatively small estimated financial flows into global biodiversity conservation of $124-$143 billion (Paulson Institute, n.d.). In contrast, healthcare costs in the United States alone comprise $3.8 trillion and 17.7% of our GDP (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2020). Incentivizing collaboration between healthcare and conservation organizations has the potential to improve people’s health, address systemic disparities, drive biodiversity support, and decrease hospitalization costs.
Core Focus Areas
The Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator is an expansion of Brushwood Center’s ongoing community engagement, advocacy, and research initiatives, and it will amplify this impact through cross-project alignment, prioritization of community-driven practices, and communication of key results for scalability and collaboration. Launching this year, the Accelerator includes three primary focus areas:
1. DataBrushwood Center will partner with Lake County Public Health, community organizations, Lake County land agencies, community members, and environmental justice groups to collect community-driven data on the status of people and nature in Lake County, prioritize geographies for investment, and identify key policy opportunities to advance equitable access to nature and enhance support for nature-based solutions.
Additionally, Brushwood Center will work with artists and humanists to elevate the voices of community members whose experiences and hopes are seldom heard. Brushwood Center has already hosted a Leadership Roundtable to identify initial partners, data sets, and community strengths and barriers. |
2. InvestmentThe accelerator will identify and implement a pilot financial model for nature-based healthcare solutions with Medicaid or Medicare partners. Over the last year, Brushwood Center conducted interviews with 27 healthcare leaders across the region and nation to identify potential healthcare finance mechanisms to drive equity-centered and nature-based solutions. These conversations organization types we can work with to identify a 3-6 month pilot project with the greatest potential for implementation, equitable impact, and scalability. The Accelerator will then implement this pilot model based on community input, conduct a post-analysis, and refine the model for growth.
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3. Capacity & AwarenessAn additional need identified within the interview process above is expanded awareness within the healthcare community of existing nature assets. While everyone agreed that nature is a vital social determinant of health, many in the healthcare community were unaware of opportunities for collaboration or programs where they might direct clients. By increasing awareness and building capacity for nature-based interventions within the healthcare community, the Accelerator can enhance support for biodiversity in the Chicago region more broadly. This will be achieved through the development of professional development opportunities for healthcare providers and the exploration of collaboration with technology platforms and health screeners.
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Regional and National Collaborations
REGIONAL COLLABORATION
The Nature, Culture, and Human Health (NCH2) Network is a Chicago-region collaborative that connects people with interests in investigating and applying knowledge about the health benefits of nature to improve the health and well-being of our communities. Brushwood Center serves on the Steering Committee of NCH2. |
COVID-19 RESEARCH
COPING AND NATURE SURVEY (CANS) Brushwood Center is partnering with research institutions across the country, under the leadership of Dr. Terry Horton of Northwestern University, to understand the impact of access to nature on health and wellbeing during COVID-19. |
THRIVING TOGETHER: A NATIONAL SPRINGBOARD The Thriving Together Springboard, released earlier this year by the Well Being Trust, is a practical resource for everyone wanting to help America heal through the trauma of 2020 and secure the vital conditions that all people and places need to thrive. Learn more about this framework for equitable recovery and resilience. |
Thank You to Our Accelerator Sponsors:
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REFERENCES
American Public Health Association. (2014, July 8). Improving Health and Wellness through Access to Nature. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.apha.org/policies-and-advocacy/public-health-policy-statements/policy-database/2014/07/08/09/18/improving-health-and-wellness-through-access-to-nature
Buckley, R., Brough, P., Hague, L., Chauvenet, A., Fleming, C., Roche, E., Sofija, E., & Harris, N. (2019). Economic value of protected areas via visitor mental health. Nature communications, 10(1), 5005. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-12631-6
Cole, H., Garcia Lamarca, M., Connolly, J., & Anguelovski, I. (2017). Are green cities healthy and equitable? Unpacking the relationship between health, green space and gentrification. Journal of epidemiology and community health, 71(11), 1118–1121. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2017-209201
Frumkin, H., Bratman, G. N., Breslow, S. J., Cochran, B., Kahn, P. H., Jr, Lawler, J. J., Levin, P. S., Tandon, P. S., Varanasi, U., Wolf, K. L., & Wood, S. A. (2017). Nature Contact and Human Health: A Research Agenda. Environmental health perspectives, 125(7), 075001. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1663
Grima, N., Corcoran, W., Hill-James, C., Langton, B., Sommer, H., & Fisher, B. (2020). The importance of urban natural areas and urban ecosystem services during the COVID-19 pandemic. PloS one, 15(12), e0243344. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243344
Novara, M., Loury, A., & Khare, A. (2017, March). The Cost of Segregation. Metropolitan Planning Council. https://www.metroplanning.org/uploads/cms/documents/cost-of-segregation.pdf
Patz, J. A., Frumkin, H., Holloway, T., Vimont, D. J., & Haines, A. (2014). Climate change: challenges and opportunities for global health. JAMA, 312(15), 1565–1580. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2014.13186
Paulson Institute. (2021, November 11). Financing Nature: Closing the Global Biodiversity Financing Gap. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.paulsoninstitute.org/conservation/financing-nature-report/
American Public Health Association. (2014, July 8). Improving Health and Wellness through Access to Nature. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.apha.org/policies-and-advocacy/public-health-policy-statements/policy-database/2014/07/08/09/18/improving-health-and-wellness-through-access-to-nature
Buckley, R., Brough, P., Hague, L., Chauvenet, A., Fleming, C., Roche, E., Sofija, E., & Harris, N. (2019). Economic value of protected areas via visitor mental health. Nature communications, 10(1), 5005. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-12631-6
Cole, H., Garcia Lamarca, M., Connolly, J., & Anguelovski, I. (2017). Are green cities healthy and equitable? Unpacking the relationship between health, green space and gentrification. Journal of epidemiology and community health, 71(11), 1118–1121. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2017-209201
Frumkin, H., Bratman, G. N., Breslow, S. J., Cochran, B., Kahn, P. H., Jr, Lawler, J. J., Levin, P. S., Tandon, P. S., Varanasi, U., Wolf, K. L., & Wood, S. A. (2017). Nature Contact and Human Health: A Research Agenda. Environmental health perspectives, 125(7), 075001. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1663
Grima, N., Corcoran, W., Hill-James, C., Langton, B., Sommer, H., & Fisher, B. (2020). The importance of urban natural areas and urban ecosystem services during the COVID-19 pandemic. PloS one, 15(12), e0243344. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243344
Novara, M., Loury, A., & Khare, A. (2017, March). The Cost of Segregation. Metropolitan Planning Council. https://www.metroplanning.org/uploads/cms/documents/cost-of-segregation.pdf
Patz, J. A., Frumkin, H., Holloway, T., Vimont, D. J., & Haines, A. (2014). Climate change: challenges and opportunities for global health. JAMA, 312(15), 1565–1580. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2014.13186
Paulson Institute. (2021, November 11). Financing Nature: Closing the Global Biodiversity Financing Gap. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.paulsoninstitute.org/conservation/financing-nature-report/
