Spending Time in Nature May Slow Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease Progression

Partnerships for Environmental Public Health (PEPH)

Spending Time in Nature May Slow Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease Progression

April 14, 2023

Interviewee: Jochem Klompmaker, Ph.D.

In this episode, we’ll hear from Jochem Klompmaker, Ph.D., a research fellow at Harvard University who led one of the largest studies to date examining the link between the natural environment and neurodegenerative disease risk. Klompmaker discusses how access to nature may protect against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and the implications of his findings for creating greener communities.

Spending Time in Nature May Slow Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease Progression

Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are the most common types of neurodegenerative disease. Although there is no cure, research suggests that living in areas with more green and blue space – like grass, trees, lakes, and streams – may slow the progression of these brain disorders.

In this episode, we’ll hear from Jochem Klompmaker, Ph.D., a research fellow at Harvard University who led one of the largest studies to date examining the link between the natural environment and neurodegenerative disease risk. Klompmaker discusses how access to nature may protect against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and the implications of his findings for creating greener communities.

Interviewee:

Jochem Klompmaker, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow in the department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. His research focuses on associations of exposure to natural environments, air pollution, and temperature with cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. He earned a master’s degree in toxicology and environmental health and doctoral degree in environmental epidemiology from Utrecht University, the Netherlands.

Resources:

• Learn more about how the environment may play a role in neurodegenerative diseases at this NIEHS webpage.
• Learn more about Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson’s disease from the National Institute on Aging.
• Listen to past Environmental Health Chat episodes related to nature and health, including a 2021 episode about how greener communities are good for heart health and a 2017 episode highlighting the benefits of nature for children’s health.

References

• Klompmaker JO, Laden F, Browning MHEM, Dominici F, Jimenez MP, Ogletree SS, Rigolon A, Zanobetti A, Hart JE, James P. 2022. Associations of Greenness, Parks, and Blue Space with Neurodegenerative Disease Hospitalizations Among Older US Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 5(12):e2247664. [Abstract Klompmaker JO, Laden F, Browning MHEM, Dominici F, Jimenez MP, Ogletree SS, Rigolon A, Zanobetti A, Hart JE, James P. 2022. Associations of Greenness, Parks, and Blue Space with Neurodegenerative Disease Hospitalizations Among Older US Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 5(12):e2247664.] [Full Text Klompmaker JO, Laden F, Browning MHEM, Dominici F, Jimenez MP, Ogletree SS, Rigolon A, Zanobetti A, Hart JE, James P. 2022. Associations of Greenness, Parks, and Blue Space with Neurodegenerative Disease Hospitalizations Among Older US Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 5(12):e2247664.]