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Early-life neighborhood resources and later-life cognitive function
Justin G Farmer1, Ian W Tang1, Peter James2
1Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 655 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, United States.
Environmental Research
|March 14, 2026
Summary
Early-life neighborhood walkability and park access show mixed results for later cognitive function. Higher intersection density and lower population density were linked to better cognitive function, especially for those with higher socioeconomic status.
Area of Science:
- Environmental epidemiology
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Public health
Background:
- Growing evidence links later-life walkability and park access to cognitive health.
- Limited research explores early-life environmental exposures and their long-term cognitive impact.
- Socioeconomic status (SES) as a potential modifier of these associations is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between early-life neighborhood walkability and park access and later-life cognitive function.
- To examine whether specific components of walkability and park access are more influential.
- To explore the role of socioeconomic status (SES) in modifying these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the St. Louis Baby Tooth Study cohort (n=3,099).
- Assessed early-life exposures (mean age 7.7) using historical address data linked to street maps.
- Measured walkability (intersection density, point of interest density, population density) and park access (density, proportion, proximity).
- Evaluated later-life cognitive function (mean age 63.6) using the TestMyBrain cognitive battery.
- Employed generalized estimating equations and examined effect modification by SES, age, and sex.
Main Results:
- Composite scores for early-life walkability and park access were not significantly associated with later-life cognitive function in the overall sample.
- Lower early-life population density (-0.07) and higher intersection density (0.05) were individually associated with better cognitive function.
- Associations between park access, walkability, and cognitive function were modified by SES, showing stronger benefits for more advantaged individuals.
Conclusions:
- While composite measures showed no significant link, specific early-life environmental factors like lower population density and higher intersection density may benefit later cognitive function.
- Socioeconomic status plays a crucial role, indicating that the benefits of walkable and park-accessible environments may be more pronounced for individuals with higher SES.
- These findings suggest context-dependent associations between early-life neighborhood characteristics and long-term cognitive health.
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