Newborns living near trees tend to be healthier, researchers say. Photo: AFP
It's a little-known theory, although one that has been studied by scientists for several years: living near trees is thought to help reduce the risk of preterm birth and contribute to the good health of newborns.
The benefits of green space for human health are well established. It has been shown, for example, that they promote physical activity, reduce stress and pollution, reduce medication use and even reduce socio-economic inequalities in mental health.But proximity to nature also has an impact on the number of premature births, according to a United States study published in the journal Science of The Total Environment.
