A new study by Stockholm University and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found that living in an area with more green space is linked to a lower risk of developing dementia. The study, which included nearly 3,000 participants, showed that having green space close to home was associated with a 20% lower risk of dementia.
According to Cecilia Stenfors, research leader and co-first author of the study, the immediate environmental surroundings of the home play an important role in supporting brain health and healthy ageing. The researchers mapped the amount of vegetation around participants’ homes and tracked their cognitive health over 16 years.
The study found that living closer to green space seemed to have a protective effect against dementia, with the strongest association found for greenery within 100 metres of the home. They suggested that this protection may be due to factors such as stress relief, better sleep, physical activity, and social stimulation.
Green spaces may also support health indirectly by shielding people from hazardous environmental exposures such as traffic noise, air pollution, and extreme heat. Stenfors noted that natural environments and greenery can support psychological restoration, reduce stress, and enhance feelings of well-being.
The study’s findings highlight the need for sustainable urban planning that supports brain health. With an estimated 9 million people living with dementia in the European Union in 2025, and a projected growth to over 14 million by 2050, considering brain health in urban planning is becoming increasingly important. Stenfors emphasized that brain health needs to be considered when planning and developing cities and residential environments.
Neurologist Ulf Kallweit, co-chair of the environmental influences task force at the European Academy of Neurology, agreed that the direct environment and broader environment have an impact on sleep and brain health. The authors noted that protecting existing vegetation and creating accessible green environments is important for public health, climate adaptation, and biodiversity, as it has a significant impact on overall well-being.
