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Living near green spaces could add 2.5 years to your life, new research finds

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Summary

A new study published in Science Advances suggests that living near green spaces could add up to 2.5 years to a person's life. The researchers looked at long-term exposure to greenery and the changes in the study participants' blood DNA to measure the biological age at a molecular level. The study adds to existing knowledge of the health benefits of living around greenery and emphasizes that it's not only about what individuals do for their own health, but also their neighborhoods and communities. Experts suggest more research is needed to pinpoint the benefits of green spaces and to incorporate nature into people's daily lives for policymakers to consider.

Q&As

What health benefits are associated with living near green spaces?
The health benefits associated with living near green spaces include adding 2.5 years to one's life, reducing premature mortality, and modifying how genes are expressed.

What is biological age and how can it be affected by green spaces?
Biological age is a measure of how genes related to the aging process work and can be sped up or slowed down depending on how a person lives. It can be affected by long-term exposure to surrounding green spaces.

What type of green spaces were studied and what details do researchers need to know?
The researchers used satellite imaging and applied a widely accepted measure of quantifying vegetation to assess green spaces. They identified major parks near the participants’ homes, but did not provide details about the type or quality of green space.

What other factors may be involved in how people benefit from greenery?
Other factors that may be involved in how people benefit from greenery include race, gender, and socioeconomic status.

How can people incorporate nature into their daily lives and what should policymakers do to increase access to green spaces?
People can incorporate nature into their daily lives by spending time in green spaces, such as parks or nature trails. Policymakers should view green space as an essential piece of infrastructure and work to increase access to green spaces.

AI Comments

👍 This article is a great reminder that green spaces are important for our health, and that the environment we live in can have a big impact on our longevity.

👎 This article is missing important details about the type and quality of green spaces studied, making it difficult to properly interpret the findings.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about how living near green spaces could add 2.5 years to your life. It talks about how living near greenery affects our bodies and how it can slow down biological aging.

Friend: That's interesting. What are the implications of this study?

Me: Well, it could mean that living in cities or urban areas where there is less green space could have a negative effect on our health and lifespan. It could also mean that we should be more aware of our environment and how it affects us. It could also mean that policymakers need to start taking green spaces and nature into consideration when planning urban areas. Finally, it could mean that people should make an effort to get out into nature more often to enjoy the positive health benefits it can bring.

Action items

Research local green spaces in your area and visit them regularly.
Advocate for more green spaces in your community by writing to your local representatives and attending public meetings.
Share the article with friends and family to spread awareness of the health benefits of living near green spaces.

Technical terms

Peer-reviewed journal: A peer-reviewed journal is a publication that has been reviewed by experts in the field before it is published.
Biological age: Biological age is a measure of how old a person is at a molecular level, based on changes in how genes related to the aging process work.
Chronological age: Chronological age is a measure of how old a person is based on the number of years they have been alive.
Premature mortality: Premature mortality is death that occurs before the average life expectancy for a given population.
Vegetation: Vegetation is plant life, including trees, shrubs, and grasses.
Social determinants: Social determinants are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, which can influence their health.