Tree-covered neighborhoods linked to lower ADHD risk in children

A new study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology has found that exposure to greenspace may be indirectly associated with a lower likelihood of being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) The research offers new insights into the potential benefits of natural environments on children’s neurodevelopment.

The study was part of a broader project called NeuroSmog , which aimed to assess the effects of environmental factors like air pollution on the neurodevelopment of children.

The researchers used land cover data from 2018 to measure the greenspace around children's homes.

They also collected information about whether the children had a garden at home.

“Our findings suggest an association between exposure to greenspace, specifically, tree cover, and ADHD diagnosis,” the researchers wrote.

“These findings suggest that access to natural environments enabling [physical activity] should be protected and promoted as it may support normal neurodevelopment.

City planners should therefore prioritize access to.

greenspace in urban architecture to decrease mental health burden in urban child population.