Green spaces linked to lower stroke and dementia risk
A large study from Beijing evaluated how living near gardens and green areas can influence health outcomes. The research, summarized in Total Environmental Science, highlights a clear connection between greener surroundings and reduced risks of stroke and cognitive decline.
Approximately 420 thousand participants from the United Kingdom, average age around 55, were tracked over twelve years. Health data and residential environments were analyzed to determine how proximity to greenery affected long-term health. The findings show that living in a green area significantly lowers the likelihood of stroke. Moreover, having a garden or access to green space within 300 meters of home was associated with about a 13 percent reduction in dementia risk.
Those living in areas with the most abundant greenery experienced the strongest benefits. They were 8 percent less likely to suffer a stroke, 14 percent less likely to die prematurely, and 26 percent less likely to progress to dementia.
Plant life and trees contribute to cleaner air by absorbing and filtering pollutants, a factor linked to a sizable share of stroke mortality. Green spaces also support mood health and physical activity, which in turn can lower heart disease risk.
Earlier research has also noted health advantages from extra weekend sleep, underscoring how lifestyle and environment together shape long-term well-being. Continued attention to urban planning that expands accessible greenery could amplify these protective effects for communities in Canada, the United States, and beyond.