From crystal-blue lakes to snow-capped mountains and thousand-year-old trees, Canada's nature is admired around the world. Now it might also be just what the doctor ordered. An ambitious new programme allows doctors to write prescriptions (处方) for free annual passes to Canada's national parks, encouraging their patients to improve their health -both mental and physical-by taking a stroll in nature.
The prescriptions are provided by PaRX, in partnership with Parks Canada. The first passes were handed out last month, giving holders access to more than 80 national parks, historic sites and nature reserves. PaRX, a health initiative launched in 2019 by the British Columbia Parks Foundation, notes on its website that spending lime in nature can lead to longer lives, increased energy, reduced stress and anxiety, improved heart health, less pain and better mood. Vitamin D from the sun's rays has proven health benefits. The organization also hopes that the prescriptions will boost investment in conservation in Canada.
The initial provision covers four Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Manitoba. Participating doctors have only 100 annual passes to hand out for now, but PaRX hopes that the programme will be expanded.
"Medical research now clearly shows the positive health benefits of connecting with nature," Steven Guilbeault, the environment minister, said. "I am confident this programme will quickly show its enormous value to the well-being of patients as il continues to expand throughout the country."
Canada's physicians are already in the habit of prescribing "nature therapy" as a treatment for anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, immune function and insomnia (失眠). Previously, though, they would write more general prescriptions, such as spending time in nature twice a week, for at least 20 minutes at a time. This is the first time that they have been able to equip their patients with tickets.