June 2016 - Parks & Recreation - 50

PA R K S A R E T H E B E S T M E D I C I N E

mental health. But, while the connection between parks and health was evident, the field of medicine traditionally focused on training physicians and
healthcare providers to diagnose and
treat - not prevent - disease and
illness. Over time, many healthcare
providers lost sight of the benefits of
parks as medicine, but, today, a growing body of research is producing evidence that parks really are some of the
best medicine there is.
The Movement
Prescribing parks is rapidly increasing across the United States as it is
being recognized by the medical
community as a low-cost intervention that utilizes a known, generally
trusted and accessible resource -
parks - to influence positive health
outcomes. National medical organizations are supporting this notion as
well. The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) launched
a " Lifestyle Medicine " curriculum
for medical professionals that promotes healthy lifestyle behaviors
(physical activity, nutrition, etc.) as
a means of preventing and treating
chronic diseases.

As recognition of parks
as medicine continues to
grow, park professionals
should seize the
opportunity.
" Every patient comes with an 'invisible backpack' that has all the
things that could be standing in the
way of good health: depression, obesity, lack of education around lifestyle
choices, etc., " says Danielle Pere, associate executive director for ACPM.
" Physicians are not taught enough
about counseling a patient on lifestyle
choices and how they impact chronic
disease. We also don't have right now
a medical system that supports talking
to patients about lifestyle due to time
limitations and financial pressures.
This curriculum helps them think
about the whole person, beyond what
they learned in medical school. "
As recognition of parks as medicine continues to grow, park profes-

Participants enjoy the sunshine during one of Dr. David Sabgir's Walk with a Doc events.
Dr. Sabgir created the program in 2005 to encourage healthier behaviors in his patients.
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sionals should seize the opportunity. Healthcare providers can be the
strongest advocates for parks, as they
look for cost-effective, impactful and
fun ways to get their patients healthy.
This partnership benefits not only the
patients who may lack access to services and the means to improve their
own health, but also the parks by increasing use and quality of programs
and services.
" We Love Parks "
Medical professionals may be busy
with their everyday jobs, but many
of them are natural park champions.
One physician from Ohio was so
taken with the effects of nature that
he developed his own program to
walk with his patients once a week.
" I came across studies all the time
that show the undeniable benefits
of simply being in nature, " says Dr.
David Sabgir, a board-certified cardiologist who practices with Mount
Carmel Clinical Cardiovascular Specialists. " Many of these benefits are
related to mental health. Time in
nature leads to increased ability to
focus, lower rates of depression and
anxiety, higher sleep quality, and the
list goes on. All of these have significant, positive consequences for the
heart, lungs and many other organ
systems. "
Dr. Sabgir created the Walk with
a Doc (WWAD) program in 2005 to
encourage healthy lifestyles among
patients through regular walks with
their doctor at their local park or trail.
Almost 250 doctors across the country, from cardiologists, family practitioners and pediatricians, to vascular
surgeons and psychiatrists, are running WWAD programs. Of these programs, the most successful ones take
place in parks. " The parks provide
the perfect space to experience these
health boosts, " Sabgir says. " Personally, I believe a 30-minute walk in the

June 2016 - Parks & Recreation

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