Project R-11777

The Physiological and Economic Impact of Neighborhood Green Space on the Stress, Cognitive and Behavioral development, and mental Well-being of Children (GreenBrain) (Research)

A multitude of studies indicate that more green space in an individual's local environment improves mental health and well-being. We and others have shown that neighborhood green space could enhance neurodevelopment and improve mental health in children. However, the evidence on such an effect on stress, cognitive and behavioral abilities and life satisfaction in children is still very scarce. Moreover, mechanisms underlying the link between green space and mental health and the associated economic values are largely unexplored, to date, especially for children. We will evaluate the impact of green space on stress, cognition, behavior, and life satisfaction of children, investigate the roles of epigenetics changes and physical activity as potential mechanisms underlying such impact, and value this impact in monetary terms. GreenBrain, therefore, integrates epidemiology, exposure science, molecular biology and economics in one interdisciplinary research team. To achieve its aims, GreenBrain will link a comprehensive array of indicators of exposure to green space with biomarkers of stress in blood, early clinical responses, and evaluation of a child's cognition, behavior and life satisfaction, and will transform these links into monetary terms using the Life Satisfaction Approach. As such, GreenBrain will generate novel and important insights into the mechanisms that explain the impact of green space on mental health and well-being and into the economic value of this impact.

01 October 2021 - 30 September 2025