Exploring the interconnections between gender, health and nature

- Despite a positive relationship linking exposure to natural environments to health, this may not be the case for all people, particularly for gender.
- Women place greater value on the aesthetic qualities of outdoor space, and are more sensitive to the subjective qualities of an area than men.
- Accessibility and usability are affected by social circumstance and can be explained by socio-economic factors, family circumstances, age and gender.
- Women use outdoor space in ways that reflect gendered norms of behaviour including physical appearance, ability, competence, power and skill.
- Determination of the gendered meanings and values assigned to natural environments emerges as a particularly important goal for public health.

ObjectivesPublic health has recognized that nature is good for health but there are calls for a review of its gendered aspects. This review attempts to develop and explore a broad analytical theme - the differing interconnections between gender, health and nature. The paper summarizes the interconnections that have been subject to extensive academic enquiry between gender and health, health and space, and gender and space.MethodsA combination of key terms including place; gender; health; outdoor space; green space; natural environment; national parks; femininity; masculinity; recreation; physical activity; sustainability; ecofeminism; feminism; environmental degradation; and environmental justice were used to search the electronic databases Sociological Abstracts, Web of Science and Scopus to identify relevant articles. We took two approaches for this review to provide an overview and analysis of the range of research in the field, and to present a framework of research that is an analysis of the intersection of gender, health and nature.ResultsFour dimensions are distinguished: (1) evaluations of health benefits and 'toxicities' of nature; (2) dimensions and qualities of nature/space; (3) environmental justice including accessibility, availability and usability; and (4) identification of boundaries (symbolic/material) that construct differential relationships between nature, gender and health. This paper offers an understanding of how environmental and social conditions may differentially shape the health of women and men. The dimensions direct analytical attention to the diverse linkages that constitute overlapping and inseparable domains of knowledge and practice, to identify complex interconnections between gender, health and nature.ConclusionThis review therefore analyses assumptions about the health benefits of nature, and its risks, for gender from an in-depth, analytical perspective that can be used to inform policy.