The start of a movement? How time outside can alter our nation’s health.
The first National Executive Forum on Health and Outdoor Recreation convened in Washington, D.C., bringing together healthcare and recreation leaders to advocate for integrating outdoor time into medical practices and policies. Attendees highlighted evidence showing nature reduces nearsightedness in children, improves mental health, and supports recovery from addiction, calling for systemic changes to ensure access to green spaces and public lands.
Healthcare and outdoor recreation leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., last week for the first National Executive Forum on Health and Outdoor Recreation, aiming to formalize nature’s role in medical treatment. The event, organized by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, featured federal officials like Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, White House staff, and healthcare executives, including the chief medical officer of Medicaid and Medicare. Attendees cited 10 years of research proving outdoor activities—from daily walks to green playgrounds—boost physical and mental health, reduce nearsightedness in children, and aid addiction recovery. Speakers emphasized the need to integrate nature into healthcare systems, policies, and daily life, framing outdoor access as essential as traditional medicine. Carrie Besnette Hauser, CEO of Trust for Public Lands, urged policymakers to ‘prescribe’ nature for holistic well-being, while Dr. Michael Suk, an orthopedic surgeon and former American Medical Association board chair, stressed the urgency of addressing systemic barriers to outdoor access. The forum followed a 2014 congressional demand for evidence linking nature to health benefits, now fulfilled by decades of studies. Discussions covered practical challenges like insurance billing for outdoor prescriptions, funding for research, and equitable access to public lands and green spaces. Attendees noted small-scale solutions—such as community parks and campgrounds—could yield immediate health improvements without requiring large-scale reforms. Former Montana Governor Steve Bullock highlighted the ‘direct connection’ between outdoor recreation and public health, from quiet nature spots to Bureau of Land Management trails. The event underscored the economic and health value of outdoor recreation, positioning it as a critical industry and public health tool. Leaders called for bipartisan collaboration to ensure nature remains a reliable part of everyday life, arguing that systemic change must start with policy recognition and funding. With 150 attendees—including federal agency directors and foundation leaders—the forum marked a step toward institutionalizing outdoor access as a standard healthcare component.
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