[GLOBAL RX] Nature prescribing goes international with new alliance
The International Nature Prescribing Alliance (INPA), a physician-led organization, launched on October 21 at the COP17 biodiversity conference in Yerevan, Armenia. The aim is to put nature at the heart of healthcare, according to the organization.
INPA, which is hosted by the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, was created to meet demand from health professionals and organizations worldwide for a convenor and accelerator of the nature prescribing movement. Through network building, curated resources, and expert-led events, it aims to advance community and planetary health.
The alliance builds on PaRx, Canada’s nature prescription program, an initiative of the BC Parks Foundation. According to INPA, PaRx has mobilized more than 22,000 health professionals to issue over 2 million prescriptions for nature across Canada; has been endorsed by more than 100 health organizations, including the Canadian Medical Association; and has been recognized by the World Health Organization.
Research suggests that nature prescribing improves mental and physical health and that people across the lifespan engage in more pro-environmental behaviors when they are more connected to nature, according to INPA. The organization said expanding nature prescribing globally, along with increased urban greening and biodiversity conservation to improve access to nature, can improve community health, reduce healthcare system emissions, waste, and pollution, and shift values in favor of conservation.
“Science tells us people are not only happier and healthier when they’re more connected to nature, but they also do more to protect it,” said Melissa Lem, MD, a family physician, founder of INPA, and co-founder of PaRx. “This field is at a global inflection point.”
INPA partners currently include The Wildlife Trusts (UK), NatureScot, Park Rx America, PaRx, the Canadian Medical Association, the National University of Singapore Centre for Sustainable Medicine, the Planetary Health Alliance, and Healthcare Without Harm.
To learn more about INPA, click here
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