Perceived Benefits of Nature in Diverse Populations

The relationship between socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and health effects of green spaces has been studied suggesting that certain groups, such as men, may get more health benefits from nature exposure. However, the link between perceived benefits of nature and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics remains a gap in literature. We used a subsample (n=711, 2018-2019) from an environmental cardiovascular risk cohort to investigate the perceived benefits of nature. Participants completed an 11-item survey about their perceptions of the benefit of nature at in person visits. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics including income, education, race, biologic sex at birth and age were self-reported. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate associations between perceived benefits of nature and demographic and socioeconomic factors; odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported. Both unadjusted and fully adjusted models for race, age, sex, and education are reported. Our results suggest that participants who identified as male, a member of a minoritized population, and/or completing less education perceived nature as less beneficial. Although additional research is needed to better understand contributors to these perceptions, access to convenient, safe, and multiuse green spaces may be important in encouraging time in nature and shifting perceptions of the benefits of greenness.