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Research and initiatives across the CHN network
CHN advances research examining how nature, environmental conditions, and the places where people live, work, and receive care influence human health and well-being. Our research spans healthcare, community, academic, and environmental settings and brings together investigators and collaborators across institutions.
Featured Research
Featured Research
Park-based physical activity in diverse communities of two U.S. cities. An observational study
Park-based physical activity in diverse communities of two U.S. cities. An observational study
Summary of Project: .The research examined park utilization and energy expenditure across diverse neighborhoods in Tampa, Florida and Chicago, Illinois, utilizing a modified version of the System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth (SOPLAY).
Authors: Myron F Floyd, John O Spengler, Jason E Maddock, Paul H Gobster, Luis J Suau
Increasing access to places for physical activity through a joint use agreement: a case study in urban Honolulu
Increasing access to places for physical activity through a joint use agreement: a case study in urban Honolulu
Summary of Project: The purpose of this article is to present a case study of In-Motion, a pilot joint use agreement project at one urban high school in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Honolulu County Department of Parks and Recreation sought to implement a joint use agreement to use the facilities of one high school for a recreational program.
Authors: Jay Maddock, Lehua B Choy, Blythe Nett, Meghan D McGurk, Reid Tamashiro
Development and validation of self-efficacy and intention measures for spending time in nature
Development and validation of self-efficacy and intention measures for spending time in nature
Summary of Project: This study developed and validated new scales to measure self-efficacy and intentions related to spending time in nature (TSN). Using a nationwide sample of 2,109 U.S. adults, researchers refined an extensive set of candidate questions into reliable 14-item self-efficacy and 8-item intentions scales. The validated scales provide researchers with theory-based tools for understanding and developing interventions to encourage greater engagement with nature and improve population health.
Authors: Jay E. Maddock,Courtney Suess, Gregory N. Bratman, Carissa Smock, Debra Kellstedt, Jeanette Gustat, Cynthia K. Perry & Andrew T. Kaczynski
Summary of Project: This Texas-wide study examined 61 million outpatient encounters to investigate whether neighborhood nature exposure was associated with mental health care utilization. Researchers linked healthcare encounters with NatureScore, a measure of surrounding natural elements. The findings suggest that greater access to nature is associated with lower mental health care utilization, supporting the integration of nature into urban planning and population-health strategies.
Authors: Omar M. Makram, Alan Pan, Jay E. Maddock 1,3, and Bita A. Kash
Summary of Project: This review found that greener, more walkable neighborhoods are associated with lower cardiovascular risk, disease, and mortality. The findings support integrating parks, green infrastructure, and safe walking environments into urban planning to promote cardiovascular health.
Authors: Nwabunie Nwana, Zulqarnain Javed, Stephen L Jones, Chanam Lee, Jay E Maddock, Sadeer Al-Kindi, Khurram Nasir
What Counts as Nature? A Cross-Sectional Study of American Adults’ Perceptions of Nature Places
What Counts as Nature? A Cross-Sectional Study of American Adults’ Perceptions of Nature Places
Summary of Project: This study examined how U.S. adults perceive different types of nature experiences. The findings reveal a gap between expert and public definitions of nature, suggesting that conventional surveys may underestimate nature exposure by overlooking everyday interactions with nature.
Authors: Jay E. Maddock, Meg S. Patterson, and Anna E. Price
An experimental study of the acute effects of visual and olfactory nature stimuli on task performance
An experimental study of the acute effects of visual and olfactory nature stimuli on task performance
Summary of Project: This experimental study examined how visual and olfactory nature exposure influence cognition and behavior in workplace settings. The findings suggest that multisensory nature may shape workplace functioning in different ways depending on the type of sensory exposure, supporting more intentional use of nature-based design strategies.
Authors: Sarayu Chandra Mouli, Marco Palma, Suma Katabattuni and Jay E. Maddock
From prescription to practice: improving patient access and adherence to nature-based clinical interventions
From prescription to practice: improving patient access and adherence to nature-based clinical interventions
Summary of Project: This review examined why nature prescriptions remain difficult to integrate into routine clinical care despite growing evidence and adoption. Key barriers are discussed, and the paper proposes a framework centered on access, value, and accountability to help make nature prescriptions a more scalable and equitable part of preventive healthcare.
Authors: Max Heimlich-McQuarters, Sarayu Chandra Mouli, Coral Lozada, Weichuan Dong, Jay E. Maddock and Sadeer Al-Kindi
Exploring the psychophysiological benefits of a virtual nature walk - A pilot randomized controlled trial
Exploring the psychophysiological benefits of a virtual nature walk - A pilot randomized controlled trial
Summary of Project: This pilot trial tested high- versus low-greenness urban VR environments. Although no significant differences were found between groups, higher virtual greenness showed modest potential to buffer stress and declines in vitality, while VR-related fatigue remained a concern.
Authors: Ssu Yu Yeh, Jay E. Maddock
Protocol for a naturalistic study of residents living in an agriculturally-integrated ("agrihood") neighborhood
Protocol for a naturalistic study of residents living in an agriculturally-integrated ("agrihood") neighborhood
Summary of Project: This study evaluates whether living in an agrihood—a neighborhood built around a working farm - can improve diet, physical activity, cardiometabolic health, and social connection. The longitudinal study compares new agrihood residents in Richmond, Texas, with residents of a nearby conventional development.
Authors: Jay E Maddock, Emma C Lewis, Deyaun L Villarreal, Alexandra L MacMillan Uribe, Kathryn M Janda-Thomte, Gang Han, Charles R Hall, Rodney X Sturdivant, Megan S Patterson, Meredith L Graham, Rebecca A Seguin-Fowler, M Renée Umstattd Meyer
Understanding the Influence of Window Views, Plantscapes, and Green Décor in Virtual Reality Hospital Rooms on Simulated Acute-Care Patients' Stress Recovery and Relaxation Responses
Understanding the Influence of Window Views, Plantscapes, and Green Décor in Virtual Reality Hospital Rooms on Simulated Acute-Care Patients' Stress Recovery and Relaxation Responses
Summary of Project: This study tested how nature views, indoor plants, and green décor influence restoration in simulated hospital rooms. Indoor plants most strongly supported physical relaxation, while green window views best supported mental clarity, highlighting how biophilic design can contribute to more restorative healthcare environments.
Authors: Courtney Suess , Jay Maddock
Nature Contact as a Health Behavior: Steps to Maturing the Field
Nature Contact as a Health Behavior: Steps to Maturing the Field
Summary of Project: This paper proposes treating nature contact as a health behavior, following the path used to establish physical activity as a major public health field. It outlines steps toward standardized measures, national guidelines, education, research funding, clinical integration, and policy infrastructure to advance nature and health at scale.
Authors: Jay E. Maddock and Nooshin Razani
Physical Activity in Natural Settings: An Opportunity for Lifestyle Medicine
Physical Activity in Natural Settings: An Opportunity for Lifestyle Medicine
Summary of Project: This review examines the health benefits of physical activity in natural settings (PANS) and strategies for encouraging greater participation. It highlights opportunities for healthcare, parks, recreation, and environmental organizations to work together to promote both physical activity and time in nature.
Authors: Jay Maddock, Howard Frumkin
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