Living in areas less far from green spaces and with lower crime rates are factors associated with lower dementia risk factors. This is indicated by research from Monash University in Melbourne, published in Preventive Medicine Report.
Previous research had already indicated that dementia disproportionately affects disadvantaged classes. Each doubling of the crime rate equates to a reduction in memory scores attributable to a three-year increase in age, according to the research.. Having several small parks closer to more people may be better than having one large park at a greater distance, the study found.. People living in areas with high crime rate may consequently go out less, exercise less, and socialize less in public places. They may have more difficulty sleeping and resort to coping behaviors such as smoking. The perception of crime can also cause psychological stress, a factor associated with the risk of dementia. The study found that proximity to green spaces was found to be more important than the size of the green space. The research examined the major modifiable dementiarisk factors: hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol and physical inactivity.