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.
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.
Read More: Rutgers University
Photo Credit: sonsanghun via Pixabay
