Exposure to air pollutants raises stroke risk, while living within 300 meters of a green space lowers stroke risk by about 16%.

These findings fit into the broader record on green spaces improving mental health, respiratory health, and overall well-being.

The study examined routine exposure to road pollutants, specifically nitrogen dioxide and soot particles, during 2016 and 2017.

During 2016–2017, nearly 11,000 hospitalizations for stroke occurred among the participants.

Researchers say green spaces reduce stress, boost physical activity, and enhance social interactions, and they urge municipalities to promote green spaces as a pollution mitigation strategy.

The analysis drew on health data from over 3.5 million adults in Spain who had never previously had a stroke to evaluate the effect of proximity to green spaces on stroke risk.