Leveraging Urban Nature, Behavioral Economics, and Mobile Platforms to Prevent Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD), characterized by feelings of sadness, irritability, and fatigue following the birth of a child, occurs in 10-15% of women. PPD peaks within the first 2-3 months following delivery, but can occur anytime in the first year, representing one of the most common complications of childbearing. The consequences go beyond impaired functioning for the woman, and include harmful effects on the cognitive and emotional development of the woman's infant. Despite this, many women are undiagnosed and do not get adequate treatment.

Living near and spending time in green space is associated with a host of mental health benefits, including reduced depression and improved well-being. Research has shown that women who live near more green space have improved birth outcomes such as higher birthweight infants.

Despite the growing body of evidence linking nature with improved mental health, spending time in green space is not a standard health promoting tool to address mental illness. Behavioral economics concepts have been used successfully in promoting other preventative health behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating.