Living in Greener Neighborhoods Is Associated With Slower Cognitive Decline in Seniors

A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives has determined that a loss in cognitive functions expected as part of the aging process is slightly reduced in residents of more environmentally friendly neighborhoods, reports EurekAlert . The investigators conducted a decade-long follow-up of 6,500 people aged 45 to 68 in Britain, and at three different timepoints participants completed a series of cognitive tests evaluating verbal and mathematical reasoning, verbal fluency, and short-term memory—and the decline in these functions. Neighborhood greenspace for each participant was calculated via satellite imagery. "There is evidence that the risk for dementia and cognitive decline can be affected by exposure to urban-related environmental hazards (such as air pollution and noise) and lifestyle (such as stress and sedentary behavior)," says Carmen de Keijzer with the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. "In contrast, living near green spaces has been proposed to increase physical activity and social support, reduce stress, and mitigate exposure to air pollution and noise." De Keijzer notes the decline in cognitive score after the 10-year follow up was 4.6 percent smaller among greener neighborhood residents. "Interestingly enough, the observed associations were stronger among women, which makes us think that these relations might be modified by gender," she says.