Stockholm study links proximity to green spaces with lower dementia risk

A long-term study conducted by Stockholm University and the Karolinska Institute suggests that living in close proximity to green spaces can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia. The research, published in the journal ‘Alzheimer’s & Dementia’, tracked nearly 3,000 participants over a 16-year period.

Using satellite data to quantify vegetation density via the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), researchers found that the protective effect is most pronounced within a 100-meter radius of a person's home. Specifically, an increase in vegetation density within this immediate area was associated with a roughly 20 to 21 percent reduction in dementia risk. This correlation was notably stronger in women than in men.

As the distance from green spaces increases, the protective effect diminishes. Researchers suggest several mechanisms for this link, including stress reduction, improved sleep, increased physical activity, and enhanced social cohesion facilitated by natural environments.