Blue Health

Blue Health refers to the positive effects on human health and well-being of being near or in natural water environments such as oceans, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. It includes:

1. Environmental Interaction: The benefits derived from direct interaction with water, such as swimming, walking by the water, or simply being near it.
2. Water-Based Activities: The health benefits associated with engaging in water-related activities, including exercise and relaxation.
3. Water-Integrated Design: Urban and architectural planning that incorporates water elements to enhance community well-being.

BlueHealth is a pan-European research initiative that investigated the links between urban blue spaces, climate and health. Outputs included a BlueHealth Toolbox that is designed to help planners, designers and decision-makers deliver health-promoting urban planning and design.

BlueHealth researchers at the University of Exeter found that approximately 271 million recreational visits are made to coasts and beaches each year, and that the most common activity on these visits is walking. Whilst walking (either with or without a dog) was the most popular activity, the analysis showed that coastal walks were more likely to be made by females and older adults, suggesting the coast may play a particular role in supporting physical activity in these groups. Other popular activities were sunbathing and paddling, taking place on a quarter of visits to the beach and amounting to 40 million dips a year. Importantly, seaside trips were not affected by socio-economic status, hinting that spending time in these environments appeals to people across the social spectrum.

The Reconomics 3.0 research, commissioned by the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s Water Outdoor Recreation Division, provides compelling evidence of the immense economic and social value that outdoor recreation delivers to the UK. It builds on a decade of work to quantify the contribution of outdoor activity to our economy, our communities, and our national wellbeing.

Improving access to blue spaces supports the government’s commitment that everyone in England should have a green or blue space within a 15-minute walking distance of home, as outlined in the 2025 Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). 

Blue infrastructure can aid in carbon offsetting, assist in lowering temperatures, particularly in urban areas, through evaporative cooling, can help to improve drainage via sustainable drainage systems, (SuDS) and offer multiple layers of climate resilience for both rural and urban areas.

How coastal areas reduce heat stress

Using the coast to mitigate heat stress is increasingly recognised as a nature-based climate adaptation strategy. Coastal environments can help reduce the health impacts of extreme heat through several mechanisms.

• Sea breezes provide natural cooling, lowering air temperatures in coastal areas compared with inland locations, especially during heatwaves.
• Blue spaces (the sea, estuaries, lagoons, and waterfronts) create cooling effects through evaporation and air circulation, helping moderate local temperatures. 
• Coastal green infrastructure such as saltmarshes, dunes, coastal parks, and urban waterfront vegetation provides shade and further reduces urban heat.
• Access to coastal environments can improve physical and mental wellbeing, helping people cope with heat-related stress and supporting public health resilience.

Resources

• Assessing the value of urban green and blue spaces for health and well-being, WHO Report