This case study spotlights PaRx, Canada’s Parks Prescription program, which formally integrates nature into health care to improve both human well-being and ecosystem health. Against the backdrop of rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension, PaRx demonstrates how nature prescriptions—encouraging patients to spend time outdoors—can reduce stress, enhance physical activity, and foster environmental stewardship. The case study underscores the connections between NCDs, planetary crises, and social inequities, emphasizing the need for inclusive, community-based interventions that address both health and environmental systems. It also highlights the wisdom of Indigenous worldviews, which recognize the intrinsic relationship between people and the land, offering essential guidance for reimagining wellness in the Anthropocene.
The case study includes an accompanying teaching guide to help bring it to life in classrooms.
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Canada. Photo by Dustin Bowdige.
