Programs
The Center for Nature and Health focuses its efforts in four areas:
Conduct high-quality research
Through research we seek to understand how more public health and health care systems can use in nature in healing. We work to gather thought leaders through mentorship and community relationships, to create a research agenda and collaborative approach for generating important research questions, and to answering questions through high quality, prospective research. We have completed research in collaboration with SFDPH and a randomized trial of park prescriptions. Please see our research page for a link to peer reviewed publications.
Contact nrazani@mail.cho.org for more information on research.
Provide clinical care for vulnerable populations
We practice what we preach. In partnership with the East Bay Regional Park District, the Children’s Hospital Oakland’s Primary Care Clinic became one of the first in the nation to refer patients to the outdoors for health. The program, called Stay Healthy In Nature Everyday (SHINE), has served hundreds of patients and their families. We continue to build partnerships to give patients access to nature, and advocate for the rights of patients in outdoor spaces. Please see our clinical care page for more information.
Contact jmatthews@mail.cho.org for more information on SHINE.
Build the field of nature champions
We don’t want to do this alone. At the Center for Nature and Health we are developing training modules, replicable protocols, and other tools that can be used by public health departments, medical practitioners, and others. As opposed to a toolkit model, we aim to support clinicians as future thought leaders and clinical scientists in nature and health.
Contact rgilgoff@mail.cho.org or lapatira@gmail.com for more information on nature champions
Advocate for nature as a public health priority.
We proudly join in the movement to increase access to nature by writing, speaking, and participating in advocacy groups such of Parks Now!, California Outdoor Engagement Coalition , and Healthy Parks Healthy People Bay Area.
Contact nrazani@mail.cho.org for more information on advocacy.
