COVID-19 continues to influence use of green and open space (Scotland)

A report has been published by the Medical Research Council on behalf of the Social Systems Recovery (SSR) – Environments and Spaces Group, hosted by Public Health Scotland describing how COVID-19 continues to influence use of green and open space. The report covers the reported benefit of green and open space for mental and physical health following the first COVID-19 lockdown and ongoing restrictions and recommends actions to support future decision making. It includes details of how this varies by age, sex, socio-economic status and ethnicity.

Findings showed inequalities existed in visiting green and open space; 71% of people categorised as high socio-economic status visited in the previous four weeks compared to just 53% of people categorised as low socio-economic status. For those who reported use of green and open space, 81% visited on one or more occasions in the previous week.

The frequency of visits varied considerably by individual demographic group; older people (55+) visited green and open space most frequently. People aged 18 to 24 years, women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people visited green and open space less frequently. Nine in 10 people agreed that being in green and open spaces benefitted their mental health.

Find the full report (in English) here.