This study examines how the design of neighborhoods, particularly the proximity of walkable and social destinations like parks, stores, and community centers, influences cognitive function in older adults. Using data from over 1,300 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, the researchers found that people living closer to these destinations had better cognitive processing speed, meaning they were able to maintain or even improve their ability to think quickly. This effect was especially strong in areas with higher population density. However, the benefits decreased as the distance to these destinations increased, with noticeable improvements seen up to about 1-1.25 miles away. There was no significant effect on overall cognitive health, or "global cognition."
The study highlights the importance of considering the distance and spatial scale when studying the relationship between built environments and cognition. The size and shape of the areas used to measure neighborhood features can influence the results, suggesting that understanding the mechanisms behind these associations requires looking closely at specific distances. These findings suggest that designing walkable, socially connected neighborhoods could benefit aging populations, while also emphasizing the need to carefully consider scale and proximity when studying how the environment influences cognition.
Source: Li J, Hirsch JA, Michael YL, Besser LM, Auchincloss AH, Hughes TM, Sánchez BN. Spatial scale effects on associations between built environment and cognitive function: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Health Place. 2024 Mar;86:103181. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103181. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11748873/