This publication illustrates the profound evidence linking healthy forests to human health, from provisioning nutrient-rich foods and medicines to regulating air quality, water cycles, and climate hazards that prevent diseases like COVID-19. Forests reduce risks of cardiovascular issues, cancers, respiratory conditions, and mental health disorders through stress-lowering exposure—lowering cortisol, blood pressure, and enhancing immune function via natural killer cell boosts—while offering restorative benefits for urban dwellers and vulnerable communities.
