Living near green spaces before and during pregnancy as well as in early childhood has been found to be linked to a reduced risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Rutgers Health. The research, published in Environment International, focused on examining the impact of exposure to green spaces during critical periods of early childhood development on the prevalence of neurodevelopmental conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other developmental delays.
The study, which looked at data from more than 1.8 million racially and socioeconomically diverse mother-child pairs enrolled in Medicaid between 2001 and 2014, utilized satellite imaging to assess vegetation levels near mothers’ residential ZIP codes during the preconception, pregnancy, and early childhood periods. The findings revealed that higher levels of green space exposure were associated with a lower risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children, even after adjusting for individual and area-level confounders.
Lead researcher Stefania Papatheodorou, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, emphasized the importance of enhancing access to green spaces in urban environments to support early childhood neurodevelopment and reduce the burden of neurodevelopmental delays, especially among vulnerable populations. The study also highlighted the varying impact of green space exposure on neurodevelopmental outcomes depending on the timing of exposure, with prenatal exposure linked to a lower risk of autism spectrum disorder, preconception exposure associated with a reduced risk of intellectual disability, and early childhood exposure protective against learning difficulties.
Furthermore, the researchers found that the protective associations of green space were strongest among children living in urban areas and among Black and Hispanic children, underscoring the potential benefits of increasing green space access in limited urban environments. The study’s results suggest a need for public health policies that prioritize expanding access to green spaces for pregnant individuals and young children in vulnerable areas, as well as urban planning strategies that enhance residential greenness for long-term developmental benefits in children.
Future research will delve deeper into the biological and environmental mechanisms underlying the association between green space and neurodevelopment, as well as explore long-term cognitive and behavioral health outcomes into adolescence. Additionally, researchers will investigate how exposure to different types of green spaces, such as parks, walking trails, and recreational fields, may impact neurodevelopment in children.
In conclusion, the study underscores the potential of green spaces as a modifiable environmental strategy to reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders among children, particularly in low-income populations. By promoting access to green spaces and incorporating green infrastructure in urban planning, communities can foster healthier environments for children’s development and well-being.
For more information, the study titled “Preconception, prenatal and early childhood exposure to green space and risk of neurodevelopmental delays: a national cohort study among Medicaid enrollees” can be accessed in Environment International (2025) with DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109666. This research was conducted by Rutgers University.
Source: Rutgers University
Website: http://www.rutgers.edu/
