The key facts

  • Proximity of green spaces to home is associated with a 20% lower dementia risk (Stockholm University and Karolinska Institute).
  • The study covered almost 3,000 participants and lasted 16 years; the effect is strongest for greenery within 100 metres of the home.
  • In 2025, about 9 million people in the EU were living with dementia, and by 2050 the number is expected to rise to more than 14 million.

Greenery near the home and dementia risk

A new study by Stockholm University and the Karolinska Institute (Sweden) has found a link between the presence of green spaces near the home and a roughly 20% lower risk of developing dementia. The work was published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia. 'This highlights that the immediate surroundings of the home are an important element in creating conditions that support brain health and healthy ageing,' said Cecilia Stenfors, the study's lead and co-author of the work.

How the study was conducted

Almost 3,000 people took part in the study, and they were followed for 16 years. The researchers mapped the amount of vegetation around the participants' homes and tracked their cognitive health and the development of dementia. It turned out that living closer to green spaces appears to have a protective effect. The association was most pronounced for greenery in the zone closest to the home — within 100 metres — and weakened as the distance to green areas increased.

Possible protective mechanisms

The authors pointed to several possible reasons for the influence of green spaces on dementia risk: from direct factors such as stress relief to the promotion of healthy behaviours — better sleep, physical activity, social stimulation and cohesion. 'Natural environments and greenery may support psychological restoration, reduce stress and enhance the sense of well-being,' Stenfors noted. Green spaces may also indirectly support health by protecting people from harmful environmental factors such as traffic noise, air pollution and extreme heat.

Significance for urban planning

It is estimated that in 2025 about 9 million people in the European Union were living with dementia, and by 2050 this figure is projected to exceed 14 million. The authors believe that the growing number of cases underscores the need for new strategies, including sustainable urban planning that supports brain health. 'Brain health needs to be taken into account when planning and developing cities and residential environments,' said Stenfors, adding that greenery around homes could be 'a shared resource for public health, climate adaptation and biodiversity.' In the authors' view, it is important both to protect existing vegetation and to create green spaces that are accessible and convenient for people with different needs and abilities.

Context: environment and brain health

The influence of the environment on brain health has been attracting increasing attention in recent years. 'Your immediate surroundings, as well as the broader environment in terms of housing design, affect your sleep and overall brain health,' neurologist Ulf Kallweit, co-chair of the working group on the influence of environmental factors at the European Academy of Neurology, told Euronews Health.