Project R-12657

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

A multitude of studies indicate that more and better green space in an individual's local environment improvesmental health and well- being. We and others have shown that neighborhood green space could enhanceneurodevelopment and improve mental health in children. However, the evidence of such an effect on stress,behavioral abilities and life satisfaction in children is still very scarce. Moreover, mechanisms underlying the linkbetween 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, behavior, and life satisfaction ofchildren, investigate the roles of epigenetics changes and physical activity as potential mechanisms underlyingsuch impact, and value this impact in monetary terms. GreenBrain, therefore, integrates epidemiology, exposurescience, molecular biology and economics in one interdisciplinary research team. To achieve its aims, GreenBrainwill link a comprehensive array of indicators of exposure to green space with biomarkers of stress in blood,socioeconomic function, and evaluation of a child ' s behavior and life satisfaction, and will transform these links intomonetary terms using the Life Satisfaction Approach. As such, GreenBrain will generate novel and importantinsights into the mechanisms that explain the impact of green space on mental health and well-being and into theeconomic value of this impact.

01 January 2022 - 31 December 2025