Exposure to nature linked to lower risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
Observational study: A study in which the subject is observed to see if there is a relationship between two or more things (eg: the consumption of diet drinks and obesity). Observational studies cannot prove that one thing causes another, only that they are linked.
People: This is a study based on research using people.
Higher exposure to some types of nature is associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, according to US research. The team used data from the US national health insurance program to look at hospitalisations in two groups of 60 million people related to Alzheimer's/dementia and Parkinson's. They then compared these with data on the amount of greenery, park space and 'blue space' such as lakes, rivers and ponds, where the participants lived. They say all three types of nature exposure were associated with a decreased risk of Parkinson's hospitalisations, and more green space was associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's.
Journal/conference: JAMA Network Open
Research: Paper
Organisation/s: Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, USA
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