Two prescriptions, drawn from the evidence: social connection and time in nature.

The WHO Commission on Social Connection reports that loneliness contributes to roughly 871,000 deaths a year — a mortality footprint comparable to smoking. Meta-analyses of green-space exposure show measurable drops in cortisol, blood pressure, and cardiovascular mortality. This dashboard weighs both interventions against ten clinical outcomes, maps what's within reach of Havelock North, and generates a plan that patients can take home.

See the comparison Build a plan

The evidence base

Social connection

WHO Commission on Social Connection (2025)

The Commission's flagship report — From loneliness to social connection: charting a path to healthier societies — concludes that social disconnection carries mortality risk on par with smoking or obesity. One in six people globally reports loneliness; among adolescents it is one in five. The report links social isolation to a 32% higher stroke risk, a 29% higher risk of heart disease, and about 5% of global dementia risk.

Supporting meta-analyses: Luchetti et al. (2024, n>600,000) found loneliness raises all-cause dementia risk by 31% (HR 1.31; 95% CI 1.20–1.43). Smith et al. (2020) linked loneliness with elevated IL-6 and social isolation with elevated fibrinogen. Holt-Lunstad's 148-study meta-analysis reports social connection raises survival odds by 50%.

Nature exposure

Green-space meta-analyses (2018–2026)

The landmark Twohig-Bennett & Jones (2018) systematic review synthesised 143 studies and found significant reductions in diastolic BP (−1.97 mmHg), heart rate (−2.57 bpm), salivary cortisol (−0.05), incidence of type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular mortality. A 2025 umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses confirmed protective effects on cardiovascular mortality, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and mental illness.

Recent additions: a 2026 forest-bathing meta-analysis reported heart-rate drops of 4 bpm and lower anxiety/depression symptoms. Nature Cities (2025) confirmed substantial acute mental-health benefits from urban nature exposure. Roshanaei-Moghaddam et al. (2024) found greater green-space access cut hypertension odds by 19%, obesity by 17%, diabetes by 21%.

Impact across 10 clinical outcomes

Each outcome is scored on a 0–10 evidence-weighted impact scale combining effect size, study consistency, and directness of the biological pathway. Scores are relative — they express how strongly each intervention influences each outcome, not the absolute clinical benefit. Hover a bar to see the underlying finding.

Social connection Nature exposure

What's within reach — Havelock North, Hastings & Napier

The mapping module below identifies the nearest green spaces and community hubs that can supply either intervention across the greater Hawke's Bay region. Toggle the categories to see how they overlap with your daily routes. Locations are drawn from Hastings District Council reserves, Napier City Council reserves & walkways, Te Mata Park Trust, and local community-club directories.

Green spaces & trails Social & community hubs Both (parks with community activity)

Sources & method notes

How outcomes were scored

Scores (0–10) are a qualitative synthesis of pooled effect sizes from published meta-analyses, weighted for study count, risk-of-bias grading, and biological plausibility. They are meant as a comparative lens for practitioners and lay readers, not a substitute for individual risk stratification. Where evidence is thin or mixed, scores are lower and the outcome card says so.

Primary references

WHO Commission on Social Connection. From loneliness to social connection: charting a path to healthier societies. WHO, 2025.
Twohig-Bennett C, Jones A. The health benefits of the great outdoors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes. Environmental Research, 2018.
Luchetti M et al. A meta-analysis of loneliness and risk of dementia. 2024.
Smith KJ et al. The association between loneliness, social isolation and inflammation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 2020.
Holt-Lunstad J et al. Social isolation and health. Health Affairs, 2020.
Rojas-Rueda D et al. Green space exposure on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes. 2021.
Yang B-Y et al. Green space and cardiovascular disease. 2022 meta-analysis (53 studies, 100M+ individuals).
Acute mental health benefits of urban nature. Nature Cities, 2025.
Short-term cardiovascular and mental health responses to Shinrin-Yoku. Frontiers in Psychology, 2026.
Association of greenspaces with cardiometabolic outcomes. 2024 meta-analysis.
Green space and health: an updated umbrella review. 2025.
Local venue data: Hastings District Council parks & reserves; Te Mata Park Trust; Havelock North community directory.

This dashboard is decision-support, not medical advice. Any prescription for a patient with cardiovascular disease, active mental-health crisis, or complex comorbidities should be individualised.