Scottish Woodlands to Cure Heart Diseases

Plans on using Scottish woodlands to cure a number of diseases of heart, including heart disease, stress, obesity, diabetes, and depression, were published on Friday, June 26th. The strategy, which is being developed by Forestry Commission Scotland in cooperation with several other UK organizations, such as NHS Scotland, and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is called the Woods for Health.
The organizations are working on a number of projects, which are to be realized in the framework of the Woods for Health programme:
• Recuperation promotion via construction of green hospital grounds;
• Outdoor sports in Green Gyms;
• Natural play promotion for children;
• Prescriptions for woodland health walks;
• Promotion of ethnic minorities’ visits to woodlands
The projects are expected to boost the greening up of Scottish urban spaces, which in its turn should result in a healthier lifestyle of the Scottish people. Commenting on the issue, Roseanna Cunningham – environment Minister of Scotland – claimed that Scottish woodlands are able to prevent a great deal of diseases among the Scottish people as well as to recuperate from illnesses. She added that despite the fact that the Forestry Commission has already achieved significant results in revitalising urban woodlands, the Government will still encourage more and more health programmes.
Moreover, Mrs. Cunningham is determined that the link between health and woodlands has been scientifically proved long ago. She added that the results of the opinion polls demonstrate that 80% of Scottish residents represent great places to relax and exercise, however it took the Scottish Government quite a long time to become aware of it.
Medical experts are supporting the Governmental Woods for Health programme. For instance, Dr. Harry Burns, who takes the post of Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, says that the programme is targeted at preventing avoidable diseases, the growing rate of which is being marked in Scotland as well as across other Western countries.