Associations between neighborhood park space and cognition in older adults vary by US location: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Besser, Lilah M.; Hirsch, Jana; Galvin, James E.; Renne, John; Park, Juyoung; Evenson, Kelly R.; Kaufman, Joel D.; Fitzpatrick, Annette L.
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 66(2020:Nov.)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Neighborhood -- Park -- Park space -- Cognition -- Older adult -- Cognitive; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102459
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: We used cross-sectional Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis data from six US cities/counties and adjusted multilevel linear regression to examine park space-cognition associations among non-demented older adults (n = 4084). We found that greater neighborhood park space 1-mile around the residence (measured continuously) was associated with better processing speed in the overall sample (estimate: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.92). However, greater neighborhood park space (½-mile around residence) was associated with worse global cognition in Los Angeles, California (estimate: -2.66; 95% CI: -4.70, −0.62) and worse processing speed in Forsyth County, North Carolina (estimate: -0.72; 95% CI: -1.37, −0.08). Dichotomizing at the mean, having ≥6% park space (½-mile around residence) was associated with better global cognition in Saint Paul, Minnesota (estimate: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.38), and better processing speed in New York City (estimate: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.35). Park space-cognition associations varied by city/county, suggesting problems with pooling multiple sites without accounting for geographic context or regionally-varying park characteristics (e.g., quality). Highlights: Neighborhood park space cross-sectionally associated with cognition in older adults. Park space associated with global cognition and processing speed. Direction and presence of park space-cognition associations varied by US city. Future studies may need to consider differences by region and in park quality.