Exploring the Leisure - Health Nexus

By exploring past, current, and future intersections between leisure and health, this book considers research and academic thought to reveal and critique the nuanced ways that leisure impacts health as well as considering how health professions use leisure as a 'tool'. Aided by the diverse chapters, readers will be challenged to explore future intersections between leisure and health using an overarching eco (ecological/environmental), bio(biological), psycho (psychological), social (sociological) lens. Many of the chapters include case-studies which consider further developing leisure and health themes, particularly in relation to a number of emerging environmental, health and societal challenges that confront the world. In addition, the book: Is cross disciplinary and demonstrates non-individualized framing of health (as per the WHO definition) giving readers a unique opportunity to develop an understanding of sociological frameworks, including ecobiopyschosocial, salutogenic, multi-species and criticalist. Moves readers from an individual level understanding of interconnections between leisure and health through to a consideration of global issues (including a section on the impact and consequences of Covid-19). Examines the nexus between leisure and health through a focus on a number of population groups including First Nations peoples, women, incarcerated people, migrants, people with disabilities, older people, and the human-animal interface. The book will be of significant interest to researchers/academics/practitioners in the leisure, health, sport, tourism, recreation, events, social science, and arts disciplines.