Living near green spaces before and during pregnancy as well as in early childhood is associated with a reduced risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, according to Rutgers Health researchers. Published in Environment International, the study examined how exposure to green spaces during critical periods of early childhood development influences the risk of neurodevelopmental conditions, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental delays.
The researchers said the impact of exposure to these natural environments on neurodevelopment, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, is understudied. This new research sought to address this gap and explore how green space might help reduce disparities in neurodevelopmental outcomes among vulnerable groups.
“Our findings suggest that enhancing green space access in urban environments may support early childhood neurodevelopment and help reduce the burden of neurodevelopmental delays,” said Stefania Papatheodorou, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health and senior author of the study.
Researchers analyzed demographic and neurodevelopmental diagnoses data from the Medicaid Analytic Extract between 2001 and 2014. Green space exposure was measured via satellite imaging to assess vegetation levels near mothers’ residential ZIP codes during the preconception, pregnancy and early childhood periods. To read the full story.