Green space is linked to less accelerated biological aging
In 11,760 adults, higher green space was linked to an odds ratio of 0.84 for accelerated aging, and a mixture of air pollutants was linked to 1.16.
In an observational study, researchers analysed repeated-measures data from 11,760 adults aged 20 to 65 years in a high-pollution Chinese city. They calculated biological age acceleration and identified three trajectory profiles: slow, moderate, and accelerated aging. These profiles were distinguished mainly by overall magnitude of biological age acceleration rather than divergent slopes over age. Higher green space was associated with lower odds of membership in the accelerated aging trajectory, with an odds ratio of 0.84. Higher exposures to fine and coarse airborne particles, sulphur dioxide, and ozone were associated with higher odds of accelerated aging. An air pollution mixture showed an odds ratio of 1.16, driven primarily by ozone and coarse particles. Reduced pollution exposure mediated 25.0% of the protective association of green space.
Why it matters
Understanding how the physical environment shapes biological age may help researchers identify ways to promote healthy aging in cities. The findings suggest that urban greenery could support healthier aging trajectories partly by lowering exposure to harmful air pollution.
Caveats
Because this was an observational study, it cannot show that green space or air pollution directly alters biological aging. The research was also conducted in a single high-pollution city, so the associations may differ in regions with cleaner air.
The paper
Associations of Green Space and Air Pollution Mixture with Heterogeneous Biological Aging Patterns
Hebei Medical University
Environmental Health Perspectives, 3 Sep 2026