Background: Exposure to natural environments such as green (vegetation) and blue (water) space provide multiple ecosystem services and are associated with a range of human health benefits. However, population-based studies investigating high-resolution, individual-level residential greenspace and potential buffering effects against urban stressors have been limited.

Objectives & methods: In a set of population-based longitudinal studies, on nationwide cohorts in Sweden (≈130 000), objective high-resolution individual-level residential greenspace land cover assessments were made. The role of spatial residential greenspace qualities was investigated longitudinally for: 1) objective prescription medication purchase for common mental health problems, and 2) self-reported symptoms. Moreover, potential buffering effects against urban stressors, and behaviour-related use and exposure to different types of natural environments were assessed in a sub-cohort, and their significance for mental health indicators.

Results & discussion: Results across studies show residential greenspace is associated with lower psychopharmacological prescription medication purchases and less symptoms, especially relating to the immediate residential surrounding, and buffering against urban noise. Behaviour related exposure, incl. spending time in forests and residential garden were important for several aspects of mental health and health behaviours, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions. Results highlight the role of greenspace in the immediate residential surroundings, as well as access to high quality greenspaces (i.e. larger coherent green areas) for mental health and health related behaviours. The multiple pathways through which different greenspace qualities can affect human health and contribute to human and environmental resilience should be considered in policy and implementation.