A different kind of prescription
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A different kind of prescription


What if, instead of medicine, a doctor could prescribe a nature walk to patients as a way to prevent chronic diseases such as obesity and asthma? Several movements are now underway to encourage physicians to do just this.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., an initiative dubbed D-C Park R-X aims to get families and patients out in nature. The program involves the National Park Service, the D.C. Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as local universities and health systems.

One of the biggest developments of D-C Park R-X is the creation of a database of local parks that includes details of activities available at each one. The database is connected to the electronic medical record portal at a large area health system, making it easy for physicians to access information about the parks.

The idea is that doctors will give patients personalized prescriptions to visit certain parks and engage in specific physical activities they enjoy. Physicians also can use the database to tell patients about each park’s accessibility, cleanliness and safety.

Aside from the ailments already mentioned, other conditions also might be assuaged by regular exercise in a pretty park. People suffering from depression, high blood pressure, anxiety or vitamin D deficiency may also benefit.

Park R-X movements already exist in numerous areas of the country. If the program does catch on with patients and doctors nationwide, we all might enjoy an additional advantage.

Because disease prevention is much less expensive and burdensome than treatment, we might see lower health care costs, personally and as a society, if physical activity in parks becomes the hot new “medicine” of choice.

Now, wouldn’t that be a breath of fresh air.

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