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Background: Neighborhood greenness (vegetative presence) has been linked to multiple health outcomes, but its relationship to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and non-Alzheimer’s (non-AD) dementia has been less studied. Objective: This study examines the relationship of greenness to both AD and non-AD dementia in a population-based sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Methods: Participants were 249,405 US Medicare beneficiaries aged > 65 years living in Miami-Dade County, FL, from 2010 to 2011. Multi-level analyses examined the relationship of greenness, assessed by mean Census block level Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), to odds of each of AD, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), and non-AD dementia, respectively. Covariates included age, gender, race/ethnicity, number of comorbid health conditions, and neighborhood income. Results: Higher greenness was associated with reduced risk of AD, ADRD, and non-AD dementia, respectively, adjusting for individual and neighborhood sociodemographics. Compared to the lowest greenness tertile, the highest greenness tertile was associated with reduced odds of AD by 20%(odds ratio, 0.80; 95%CI, 0.75–0.85), ADRD by 18%(odds ratio, 0.82; 95%CI, 0.77–0.86), and non-AD dementia by 11%(odds ratio, 0.89; 95%CI, 0.82–0.96). After further adjusting for number of comorbidities, compared to the lowest greenness tertile, the highest greenness tertile was associated with reduced odds of AD (OR, 0.94; 95%CI, 0.88–1.00) and ADRD (OR, 0.93; 95%CI, 0.88–0.99), but not non-AD dementia (OR, 1.01; 95%CI, 0.93–1.08). Conclusion: High neighborhood greenness may be associated with lower odds of AD and ADRD. Environmental improvements, such as increasing neighborhood vegetation, may be a strategy to reduce risk for AD and possibly other dementias.

BackgroundNeighbourhood greenness or vegetative presence has been associated with indicators of health and well-being, but its relationship to depression in older adults has been less studied. Understanding the role of environmental factors in depression may inform and complement traditional depression interventions, including both prevention and treatment.AimsThis study examines the relationship between neighbourhood greenness and depression diagnoses among older adults in Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA.MethodAnalyses examined 249 405 beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, a USA federal health insurance programme for older adults. Participants were 65 years and older, living in the same Miami location across 2 years (2010–2011). Multilevel analyses assessed the relationship between neighbourhood greenness, assessed by average block-level normalised difference vegetative index via satellite imagery, and depression diagnosis using USA Medicare claims data. Covariates were individual age, gender, race/ethnicity, number of comorbid health conditions and neighbourhood median household income.ResultsOver 9% of beneficiaries had a depression diagnosis. Higher levels of greenness were associated with lower odds of depression, even after adjusting for demographics and health comorbidities. When compared with individuals residing in the lowest tertile of greenness, individuals from the middle tertile (medium greenness) had 8% lower odds of depression (odds ratio 0.92; 95% CI 0.88, 0.96; P = 0.0004) and those from the high tertile (high greenness) had 16% lower odds of depression (odds ratio 0.84; 95% CI 0.79, 0.88; P < 0.0001).ConclusionsHigher levels of greenness may reduce depression odds among older adults. Increasing greenery – even to moderate levels – may enhance individual-level approaches to promoting wellness.Declaration of interestNone.

Introduction: Nature exposures represent a novel environmental protective factor for chronic disease, which is understudied with respect to stroke and transient ischemic attack. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between objectively measured neighborhood greenness (vegetative presence) and Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack (Stroke/TIA), in a population-based sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Methods: The sample was comprised of 249,405 U.S. Medicare beneficiaries ages > 65 years with the same location (ZIP+4) in Miami-Dade County, Florida, from 2010-2011. Analyses examined the relationship of greenness, measured by mean block-level Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from satellite imagery, to a diagnosis of Stroke/TIA. Hierarchical regression analyses, in a multi-level framework, assessed the relationship of greenness to Stroke/TIA, adjusting successively for individual age, gender, race/ethnicity, neighborhood income, and biological risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia). Secondary analyses then examined the relationship of greenness separately for specific diagnoses of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), Ischemic Stroke, and Hemorrhagic Stroke, respectively. Results: Higher greenness was associated with reduced risk for Stroke/TIA, adjusting for individual sociodemographics and neighborhood income: When compared to individuals residing in the lowest tertile of greenness, those individuals residing in the highest tertile of greenness had a 20% lower odds of Stroke/TIA (OR=0.80; 95% CI: 0.74, 0.86, p Conclusions: Neighborhood greenness may be associated with reduced risk of Stroke/TIA. Policies and strategies to increase greenness may be a future means of reducing Stroke/TIA at the population level.

Background: Nature exposures may be associated with reduced risk for heart disease. The present study examines the relationship between objective measures of neighborhood greenness (vegetative presence) and diagnoses of four forms of heart disease (acute myocardial infarction [AMI], ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation), in a large population-based sample of Medicare beneficiaries in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Methods: The sample included 249,405 Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 years and older whose location (ZIP+4) in Miami-Dade County, Florida, did not change from 2010 to 2011. Analyses examined relationships between greenness, measured by mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from satellite imagery at the Census block level, and four forms of heart disease in 2011. A series of hierarchical regression analyses, in a multi-level framework, assessed the relationship of greenness to each heart disease diagnosis, adjusting successively for individual sociodemographics and neighborhood median household income. A further final model adjusted for biological risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia). Results: Higher greenness was generally associated with reduced risk of heart disease, in models adjusting for individual sociodemographics and neighborhood income: When compared to the lowest tertile of greenness, the highest tertile of greenness was associated with statistically significant (ps Conclusions: Even after adjusting for individual sociodemographics and neighborhood income, neighborhood greenness may be associated with reduced odds of heart disease, possibly as a result of increased time spent outdoors, physical activity, stress mitigation, and/or air pollution. Results suggest that strategies to reduce inequities in area greenness and improve public access to these areas may be a future means of reducing heart disease at the population level.

Background Nature exposures may be associated with reduced risk of heart disease. The present study examines the relationship between objective measures of neighborhood greenness (vegetative presence) and 4 heart disease diagnoses (acute myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation) in a population‐based sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Methods and Results The sample included 249 405 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older whose location (ZIP+4) in Miami‐Dade County, Florida, did not change from 2010 to 2011. Analyses examined relationships between greenness, measured by mean block‐level normalized difference vegetation index from satellite imagery, and 4 heart disease diagnoses. Hierarchical regression analyses, in a multilevel framework, assessed the relationship of greenness to each heart disease diagnosis, adjusting successively for individual sociodemographics, neighborhood income, and biological risk factors (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia). Higher greenness was associated with reduced heart disease risk, adjusting for individual sociodemographics and neighborhood income. Compared with the lowest tertile of greenness, the highest tertile of greenness was associated with reduced odds of acute myocardial infarction by 25% (odds ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63–0.90), ischemic heart disease by 20% (odds ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.77–0.83), heart failure by 16% (odds ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.80–0.88), and atrial fibrillation by 6% (odds ratio, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.87–1.00). Associations were attenuated after adjusting for biological risk factors, suggesting that cardiometabolic risk factors may partly mediate the greenness to heart disease relationships. Conclusions Neighborhood greenness may be associated with reduced heart disease risk. Strategies to increase area greenness may be a future means of reducing heart disease at the population level., See Editorial by Balmes

Introduction Prior studies suggest that exposure to the natural environment may impact health. The present study examines the association between objective measures of block-level greenness (vegetative presence) and chronic medical conditions, including cardiometabolic conditions, in a large population-based sample of Medicare beneficiaries in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Methods The sample included 249,405 Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years whose location (ZIP+4) within Miami-Dade County, Florida, did not change, from 2010 to 2011. Data were obtained in 2013 and multilevel analyses conducted in 2014 to examine relationships between greenness, measured by mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index from satellite imagery at the Census block level, and chronic health conditions in 2011, adjusting for neighborhood median household income, individual age, gender, race, and ethnicity. Results Higher greenness was significantly associated with better health, adjusting for covariates: An increase in mean block-level Normalized Difference Vegetation Index from 1 SD less to 1 SD more than the mean was associated with 49 fewer chronic conditions per 1,000 individuals, which is approximately similar to a reduction in age of the overall study population by 3 years. This same level of increase in mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was associated with a reduced risk of diabetes by 14%, hypertension by 13%, and hyperlipidemia by 10%. Planned post-hoc analyses revealed stronger and more consistently positive relationships between greenness and health in lower- than higher-income neighborhoods. Conclusions Greenness or vegetative presence may be effective in promoting health in older populations, particularly in poor neighborhoods, possibly due to increased time outdoors, physical activity, or stress mitigation.

Purpose. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a structured after-school program housed in a large county parks system on participant health and wellness outcomes. Design. Longitudinal cohort study over one school year (fall 2011-spring 2012). Setting. A total of 23 county parks in Florida. Subjects. Children ages 5 to 16 (N= 349, 55% non-Hispanic black, 40% Hispanic, mean age 8.9 years). Intervention. An after-school program called Fit-2-Play that integrates daily standardized physical activity and health and wellness education components. Measures. Preintervention (August/September 2011) and postintervention (May/June 2012) anthropometric, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, fitness, and health and wellness knowledge measurements were collected. Analysis. Comparison of pre-post outcome measure means were assessed via general linear mixed models for normal-weight (body mass index [BMI] < 85th percentile for age and sex) and overweight/obese (BMI ≥85th percentile for age and sex) participants. Results. The overweight/obese group significantly decreased their mean (1) BMI z score (2.0 to 1.8, p < .01) and (2) subscapular skinfold measurements (19.4 to 17.5 mm, p < .01) and increased (1) mean laps on the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run test (10.8 to 12.5, p = .04) and (2) percentage with normal systolic blood pressure (58.1% to 71.0%, p = .03) from pretest to posttest. On average, participants significantly improved their health and wellness knowledge over the school year (p < .01). Normal-weight participants maintained healthy BMI ranges and significantly increased fitness levels. Conclusion. Findings suggest that the Fit-2-Play after-school programs can be a significant resource for combating childhood obesity and instilling positive physical health in children, particularly among ethnic and socioeconomically diverse communities.

Community-based programs hold significant potential to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in youth. We describe here the longitudinal change in several modifiable CVD risk factors after participation in up to 3 years of Fit2Play™, a park-based afterschool program. Children ages 6-15 years old (N = 2261, mean age 9.0 years, 50% Hispanic, 47% non-Hispanic black, 54% male) who participated in Fit2Play™ for either 1-3 school years between 2010 and 2016 had height, weight, 4-site skinfold thicknesses, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run test, and health/wellness knowledge and behavior scores collected at the beginning and end of the school year(s). Effects of length of Fit2Play™ participation on CVD outcomes were assessed via 2-level repeated measures analysis adjusted for child sociodemographics, park, area poverty, and year. Adjusted models showed overweight/obese children who participated in up to 3 years of Fit2Play™ had a mean reduction of 8 mm in skinfold thicknesses; almost 0.5 SD's in BMI z-score; 5 DBP %ile points; 17% reduction in probability of developing hypertension; and a mean increase of 6.4 PACER laps and 17% increase in health/wellness assessment compared to baseline. A dose-response trend was found for years of Fit2Play™ participation and improved CVD risk profile in participating youth. In conclusion, park-based afterschool programs that promote preventive CVD risk strategies can be an equitable, low-cost, high value tool for addressing our national epidemics of obesity, heart disease and diabetes and a rapidly changing healthcare system in need of evidence-based prevention programs.

Children with disabilities are more likely to be overweight or obese and less likely to engage in physical activities versus their peers without disabilities.The effect of a structured afterschool program housed in a large county parks system on several obesity-related health outcomes among children with disabilities was examined.Children/adolescents with a developmental and/or intellectual disability ages 6-22 (N = 52, mean age 13.7 years) who participated in an afterschool (either 2010-2011 or 2011-2012 school year) health and wellness program called Fit-2-Play™ were assessed. Pre-post comparison of outcome variables (mean height, weight, waist/hip/midarm circumference, fitness tests, and a 9-item health and wellness knowledge assessment) via general linear mixed models analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the program for normal and overweight/obese participants.Normal weight participants significantly improved pre-post mean number of push-ups (9.69-14.23, p = 0.01) and laps on the PACER test (8.54-11.38, p 0.01) and the overweight/obese group significantly improved the number of sit ups (7.51-9.84, p 0.01) and push ups (4.77-9.89, p 0.001). Pre-post mean health and wellness knowledge composite scores significantly improved for all participants (p 0.01).Parks-based afterschool programs can be effective community resources for instilling physical health in both normal weight and overweight/obese children with disabilities. More studies are needed to ascertain whether community-based afterschool health and wellness programs can be implemented and sustained across this population.

Major hindrances to controlling the current childhood obesity epidemic include access to prevention and/or treatment programs that are affordable, provide minimal barriers for participation, and are available to the general public. Moreover, successful childhood obesity prevention efforts will require coordinated partnerships in multiple sectors such as government, health care, school/afterschool, and the community but very few documented sustainable programs currently exist. Effective, community-based health and wellness programs with a focus on maintaining healthy weight via physical activity and healthy eating have the potential to be a powerful referral resource for pediatricians and other healthcare professionals who have young patients who are overweight/obese. The Miami Dade County Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces in partnership with the University of Miami UHealth Systems have created a "Park Prescription Program (Parks Rx 4Health(TM))" that formally coordinates pediatricians, families, parents, caregivers, and child/adolescents to provide daily obesity-prevention activities. This Parks Rx 4Health(TM) program that we describe here allows UHealth pediatricians to seamlessly refer their overweight and obese patients to Fit2Play(TM), an evidence-based, park-based afterschool health and wellness program. Measurable outcomes that include body mass index, blood pressure, fitness, and nutrition knowledge are being collected at baseline and at 3-and 6-mo after referral to document patient progress. Results are then shared with the referring physician so they can follow up with the patient if necessary. Identifying successful models that integrate primary care, public health, and community-based efforts is important to accelerating progress in preventing childhood obesity. Effective, community-based health and wellness programs with a focus on physical activity and nutrition education could be a powerful referral resource for pediatricians who have obese patients.

Prior studies suggest that exposure to the natural environment may be important for optimal mental health. The present study examines the association between block-level greenness (vegetative presence) and mental health outcomes, in a population-based sample of 249,405 U.S. Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years living in Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA, whose location did not change from 2010 to 2011. Multilevel analyses examined relationships between greenness, as measured by mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index from satellite imagery at the Census block level, and each of two mental health outcomes; Alzheimer's disease and depression, respectively, after statistically adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and neighborhood income level of the individuals. Higher block-level greenness was linked to better mental health outcomes: There was a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease (by 18%) and depression (by 28%) for beneficiaries living in blocks that were 1 SD above the mean for greenness, as compared to blocks that were 1 SD below the mean. Planned post-hoc analyses revealed that higher levels of greenness were associated with even greater mental health benefits in low-income neighborhoods: An increase in greenness from 1 SD below to 1 SD above the mean was associated with 37% lower odds of depression in low-income neighborhoods, compared to 27% and 21% lower odds of depression in medium- and high-income neighborhoods, respectively. Greenness may be effective in promoting mental health in older adults, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, possibly as a result of the increased opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, or stress mitigation.