Nature-Based Solutions and Human Health in Europe—A Systematic Review

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are increasingly promoted in European policy for their potential to support climate adaptation and contribute to human health. Yet evidence on their health impacts remains fragmented across disciplines and limited to specific health outcomes or ecosystems. We carried out a systematic review of studies assessing the links between NbS and human health in Europe, covering multiple ecosystem types (agricultural, coastal, forest, mountain, urban, rural and freshwater ecosystems) and both mental and physical health outcomes. A total of 115 studies met the inclusion criteria and were concentrated in the United Kingdom (38%) and Spain (17%), with urban (45%) and forest (17%) ecosystems most frequently examined. Most studies evaluated Type 1 NbS (minimal intervention) and focused on adult populations (58%). Mental health outcomes were studied nearly twice as often as physical health, including positive mental health, circulatory diseases and mental and behavioural disorders. Nearly 88% of quantitative studies reported at least one positive association, whereas qualitative studies highlighted that perceived health benefits of NbS were often shaped by participants’ subjective experiences. Our findings emphasise the need for more longitudinal and experimental research designs, attention to NbS types and equity considerations, and better integration of human health into NbS planning and policy.