Man poses with photo of trees he helped restore.
Sehmus Erginoglu, a 71-year-old man from Mardin, Turkey, took it upon himself to transform a wasteland into a thriving forest. By cleaning up the area, installing water pipes, and planting saplings, he has created a small forest of 11,000 trees, with more planted nearby.
In a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from Tel Aviv University, the correlation between green environments and the mortality rate of coronary heart patients post-bypass surgery was investigated. The study followed thousands of patients in Israel for over a decade and found that those living in greener areas had a significantly higher survival rate.
The study, led by PhD student Maya Sadeh under the guidance of Prof. Rachel Dankner, was supported by the Environment and Health Fund and the Israel Science Foundation, and published in the esteemed journal Epidemiology.
NASA image of Israel and Lebanon’s green spaces from space
Landsat image of Israel’s Galilee region
The research utilized satellite data to assess greenery around patient addresses and analyze survival rates post-surgery. Findings indicated a strong link between green surroundings and extended patient lifespan. Various factors were considered in the analysis, such as age, sex, socioeconomic status, and air pollution.
The study emphasized the benefits of living in green environments, suggesting improved air quality, increased physical activity, and overall better quality of life. This research sheds light on the importance of nature in health and recovery, particularly for heart patients.
