Introduction Using green space improves health and well-being. However, there are many barriers to green space use, including poor health. Evidence is lacking on how health-related barriers to green space differ by chronic health condition. This study investigates health-related barriers to green space use, chronic health conditions and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods We assessed health-related barriers to green space use using Natural England’s People and Nature Survey. Data from 5 months of the nationally representative survey of English adults (aged 16+) were used (n=10 415), collected during November 2020–March 2021. To assess relationships between reporting of health-related barriers to using green space, an individual’s chronic health conditions and sociodemographic characteristics, structural equation modelling was used (n=201). Results Respondents with progressive illnesses or physical disabilities had a higher likelihood of reporting multiple (four) health-related barriers as important compared with respondents with arthritis or diabetes (both had no barriers that they were more likely to report). For example, respondents with physical disabilities (32%) and progressive illnesses (31%) had an increased likelihood of reporting lack of disabled facilities as an important barrier to using green space compared with those with other conditions. Those with progressive illnesses (34%) had a particularly higher likelihood of reporting having no one to go with/help as an important barrier to using green space (p=0.001). Both physical health-related (eg, fatigue) and place-based (eg, poorly maintained sites) factors are barriers to green space use for individuals reporting a chronic condition. Conclusions The results suggest that those with physical disabilities and progressive illnesses would benefit most from reducing place-based and support barriers, such as a lack of disabled facilities and no one to go with/help. By improving the suitability of green spaces using this evidence, barriers to green space would be reduced for all users, which may improve the quality of the space.
Burnett et al. (2026) studied this question.