A study from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, published in JAMA Network Open, reveals that living near green spaces significantly reduces emotional problems in preschool-age children, particularly benefiting racial and ethnic minorities. The research analyzed data from over 2,100 children aged 2 to 11 across 199 counties in 41 U.S. states. The study found that higher levels of green space within three-fourths of a mile from a child’s home were linked to lower anxiety and depression symptoms from ages 2 to 5.
Dr. Nissa Towe-Goodman, an ECHO researcher from the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, emphasized the importance of early exposure to nature. “Our research supports existing evidence that being in nature is good for kids,” she said. “It also suggests that the early childhood years are a crucial time for exposure to green spaces.”
The study used the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to measure vegetation density around homes. Results showed that the benefits of green space persisted even after accounting for factors such as the child’s sex, parent education, age at birth, and neighborhood socioeconomic vulnerability. However, the association between green space and mental health symptoms was not significant in later childhood years, from ages 6 to 11, when children spend more time at school.
These findings highlight the need for urban planning and public health policies that prioritize green spaces, particularly in underserved communities. By ensuring access to natural environments, policymakers can help reduce health disparities and improve emotional well-being among minority children.
See “Green space may improve young children’s mental health” (April 30, 2024)
