Title | Urban green space and the risks of dementia and stroke. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2020 |
Authors | Paul, LA, Hystad, P, Burnett, RT, Kwong, JC, Crouse, DL, van Donkelaar, A, Tu, K, Lavigne, E, Copes, R, Martin, RV, Chen, H |
Journal | Environ Res |
Volume | 186 |
Pagination | 109520 |
Date Published | 04/2020 |
ISSN | 1096-0953 |
Abstract | INTRODUCTION: It is unknown whether urban green space is associated with reduced risk of major neurological conditions, especially dementia and stroke. METHODS: Retrospective, population-based cohorts were created for each study outcome, including 1.7 and 4.3 million adults in Ontario, Canada for dementia and stroke, respectively. Residential green space was quantified using the satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. Incidence was ascertained using health administrative data with validated algorithms. Mixed-effects Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios per interquartile range increase in green space exposure. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2013, 219,013 individuals were diagnosed with dementia and 89,958 had a stroke. The hazard ratio per interquartile range increase in green space was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.96-0.98) for dementia and 0.96 (0.95-0.98) for stroke. Estimates remained generally consistent in sensitivity analyses. DISCUSSION: Increased exposure to urban green space was associated with reduced incidence of dementia and stroke. To our knowledge, this is the first population-based cohort study to assess these relationships. |
DOI | 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109520 |
Alternate Journal | Environ. Res. |
PubMed ID | 32344208 |