Researchers from GroundsWell have visited Halton Borough Council’s Public Health team to share emerging evidence on the relationship between access to green space and asthma, as well as explore opportunities for future collaboration.
GroundsWell is a research consortium bringing together researchers, local communities and policymakers to understand how urban green and blue spaces – including parks, community gardens, canals and rivers – can support health and wellbeing. Its work is centred on collaboration with communities and policy partners, with Liverpool one of three cities where its main research takes place.
During the visit, GroundsWell members Hannah Burnett and Rukun Khalaf met with Halton’s Public Health team to discuss research into access to green space and asthma, alongside the priorities facing children and families locally.
The research, What is the impact of access to green space on asthma in the North West of England?, uses 2024 prescribing data from 344 primary healthcare providers across the North West, alongside measures of access to different types and sizes of green space.
The preliminary findings suggest an association between distance to green space and the quantity of asthma medication prescribed, although the relationship varies according to the size of the green space. The researchers say further research at household level is needed to explore causal relationships.
Dr Ifeoma Onyia, Director of Public Health for Halton and Lead Champs Director for Research and Development, said:
“Research like this helps us understand how the places where we live can affect our health. It was really useful to meet with the GroundsWell team, hear more about their research and talk about what it could mean for children and families in Halton. We’re looking forward to continuing the conversation and seeing how we can use research like this to help improve health and wellbeing locally.”
To learn more about GroundsWell, please visit: https://www.groundswelluk.org.
